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Study shows homophobic abuse rife
- Updated: September 20, 2016
Nearly three quarters of British football fans have heard homophobic abuse at a match during the last five years, according to new research from the UK’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality charity Stonewall.
The online study, which was carried out by ICM last month, was commissioned by Stonewall as part of its ‘Rainbow Laces’ campaign to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic attitudes in sport.
The research found several encouraging trends but also revealed that 18 to 24-year-olds are twice as likely as the overall group to say they would be embarrassed if their favourite player came out as gay (22 per cent compared to 12 per cent) and twice as likely to describe anti-LGBT language as “banter”.
Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s chief executive, said: “While the majority of people see homophobic chants and abuse as a problem, and want to see sport become more welcoming of lesbian gay, bi and trans players and fans, there is a persistent minority who believe this sort of abuse is acceptable.
“These vocal few may be under the illusion that anti-LGBT language is harmless but it makes …
