Pride Month 2020 draws to an official close on Sunday 5 July, with what would've been a week of parades and festivals across the country being replaced by online 'Pride Inside' events.
Following last year's appearance by FA staff at the Pride Parade in London, which was planned again this year, we instead hosted an online panel discussion to discuss many of the current LGBT+ issues and topics around football.
Hosted by the BBC's LGBT+ correspondent Ben Hunte, the five-person panel featured individuals from across a variety of areas in the sport and was streamed on via the @FA Twitter and on YouTube.
Alongside Ben, the panel featured the following people:-
Anita Asante - Current Chelsea and former England and Arsenal player
Robbie de Santos - director of sport, Stonewall
Nicky Bandini - football journalist and broadcaster
Chris Ramsey - technical director, Queens Park Rangers FC
Jehmeil Lemonius - Stonewall FC player and FA diversity and inclusion officer.
Among the topics discussed were:-
• LGBT+ inclusion in elite football, where we now and where we need to be
• The importance of role models and allies at all levels of football
• Fans seem to be the ones who are ‘’Out’ in football, what difference does this make?
• Is the changing room environment and rumour mill a hinderance or help to progress?
• How inclusive is the LGBT+ movement?
• Why are there very few people who are Black, Asian or from a dual heritage background in football who are open about their sexuality or gender identity?
• Why football and gender expression are still a big deal in football
• What are the barriers for people who feel uncomfortable being themselves?
