With Leicester Pride taking place this weekend, we took the opportunity to catch up with Foxes Pride about the work they do to support LGBTQ+ football fans.
The supporter group was set up in 2015 and has gone on to build their membership and work alongside the Club to make King Power Stadium a safe and welcoming space, promote welfare and connect the community. We caught up with Chairman, Graeme Smith, to find out more about what they do.
Can you introduce who Foxes Pride are and what the group is about?
Foxes Pride was set up in 2015 with the aim of working together with LCFC and other partners in football to ensure that all LGBTQ+ fans of LCFC could be supported to feel safe at the football, to promote the welfare of the LGBTQ+ community at the football and to connect the LGBTQ+ community with the Club.
How did it start?
Co-founders, Graeme and Gareth, were brought together by LCFC in 2014 following the rainbow laces campaign that year when LCFC didn’t take part. They were tasked with trying to make something happen and the first formal meeting took place at the stadium in 2015.
Who is eligible to join?
Any LGBTQ+ fans of Leicester City and their friends and allies.
What’s been your highlight of being part of Foxes Pride?
Foxes Pride has had many highlights, but joining together with some of the first team squad, behind closed doors, to discuss LGBTQ+ issues was transformative. We were also fortunate to win the Football vs Homophobia Award 2022 in the fan group category.
How do you think attitudes in football are changing?
They are changing, but we aren’t finished. Many members report feeling much safer. We have supported members in attending their first game and continue to provide that safe space both at the stadium, but also socially. That said, while we hear less homophobic chanting than we used to, we do still hear LGBTQphobic comments and we have work to do to ensure that these are gone from the game for good. This means working with the club and stewards to ensure that people know that when they report issues they will be dealt with.
How has the Club itself supported Foxes Pride?
We meet the Club regularly and they have provided space and time for us to develop. In addition, they have always paid for our presence at Leicester Pride, and have listened to our requests to raise the profile of the LGBTQ+ fans of LCFC. We have worked to support with training, highlighting issues to stewards and we have also led a LGBTQ+ Awareness session to the U23s at the training ground.
Pride is coming up this weekend but what other events do you host or get involved in throughout the year?
We usually get together around home games, usually at the Rainbow and Dove in Leicester city centre. We hosted a fundraising quiz last year, and we are currently planning for the next one. If people want to join us, they can get all the information in our regular emails.
How do you hope to see Foxes Pride develop and grow over coming years?
It isn’t about growth, but about ensuring that the LGBTQ+ community feel safe and welcome supporting LCFC. Until we have reached that stage, then we still have work to do.
Where can people find out more if they’d like to get involved?
Get in touch through our social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) @foxespride or our website.
Foxes Pride has also recently been awarded with a Premier League Community Champion award. You can watch the video featuring Foxes Pride and Brendan Rodgers here.