Manchester United Partner with Stonewall to Promote LGBT+ Inclusion

November 13, 2020  

Manchester United has entered a partnership with lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT+) equality charity, Stonewall, to strengthen its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion under its banner of ‘All Red All Equal’.  

Man Utd will sign on to Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, which helps employers embed LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace, and gain access to expert consultation, training and dedicated resources from Stonewall to support the club’s work on LGBT+ inclusion.  
  
This will include participation in Stonewall’s Workplace Allies programme to help non-LGBT employees across the club and Manchester United Foundation find ways to actively support and promote an LGBT-inclusive culture.  

Richard Arnold, Manchester United Group Managing Director, said:   

“Diversity is a source of strength for Manchester United and ensuring a welcoming environment for LGBT+ employees and fans is a crucial part of that. We’re committed to making equality, diversity and inclusion integral to the way we work and this partnership with Stonewall will help us achieve that important goal, building on the range of other initiatives we have under way as part of our All Red All Equal campaign.”  

The partnership builds on Manchester United’s existing commitment to LGBT+ inclusion since it became the first football club to join Stonewall’s TeamPride coalition in 2017, using the power of sport to promote equality and tackle discrimination in sport and wider society.  
  
The club has also supported Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, created an internal Pride Network for LGBT+ employees, and last year launched its first LGBT+ Supporters’ group, Rainbow Devils.  
  
It will add to Manchester United’s wider commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion through its award-winning All Red All Equal campaign, which has challenged hate crime and discrimination on social media and promoted mental health awareness and gender equality.  

Manchester United last month signed up to the FA’s Football Leadership Diversity Code (FLDC), including targets for diversifying the club’s leadership and coaching teams. The club’s commitment was also recognised by its achievement of the Advanced Level of the Premier League Equality Standard in 2019 following an in-depth assessment that commended the club for putting equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everyday decision-making across the organisation. 

Nancy Kelley, chief executive of Stonewall, said:   

“It’s so important for organisations to actively work towards making sport everyone’s game. Many LGBT+ people want to take part in sport, either as players or fans, but at the moment not everyone feels welcome. We also know that most sports fans want to see sports be better and more inclusive.”