Football venues across Guernsey are being invited to show their support for an inclusive World Cup in Qatar by flying the Pride flag.
Inspired by the OneLove campaign, the campaign aims to promote inclusion and equality at the World Cup and beyond.
Qatar was awarded the 2022 tournament twelve years ago and has been facing controversy ever since, most prominently because same sex activity is a criminal offence there.
CEO of local LGBTQ+ charity Liberate Ellie Jones said: “Hosting the World Cup in a country that doesn’t believe LGBTQ+ people should have the same rights as heterosexual people is hugely problematic. Thousands of players, support teams, media and fans will be visiting the country over the next month, many of which will be LGBTQ+.
“It’s a distressing reality to think those individuals will need to hide their true selves or face the possibility of a prison sentence or in extreme cases, if they are Muslim and local to Qatar, death by stoning.
“It’s important we show our solidarity to the LGBTQ+ community. It’s put LGBTQ+ discrimination on a global stage and invigorated the conversation about inclusion and equality, not just in sport but around the world.”
The campaign is being led by the Health Improvement Commission and Liberate, who have kicked it off by hoisting the flag at three of Guernsey’s biggest sporting venues – Footes Lane, Beau Sejour and the KGV (pictured).
Alun Williams the Education and Be Active Lead at the Health Improvement Commission said: “We want everyone to feel welcome and accepted in our local sporting community, especially when discrimination is happening elsewhere. The World Cup is a great opportunity to celebrate the power of sport and activity. However we want all major sporting events to be fully inclusive for all sectors of the community. That’s why we are supporting the OneLove Campaign led by England captain Harry Kane and encouraging our community to fly flags to show that we stand against all forms of discrimination”.
Any venues who would like to show their support can get in touch with [email protected] to arrange to have a Pride flag.
