News

Become an Albion Ally

Albion Allies was launched in celebration of Rainbow Laces.

By Jemma Thrower • 07 November 2022

By Paul Hazlewood
Sign up now to become an Albion Ally.

In celebration of this year’s Rainbow Laces campaign, we launched our new club initiative Albion Allies.

We need you, our fans, to make a pledge to support equality, diversity and inclusion to make everyone feel welcome within our community. Sometimes people need our help and support when confronted by hatred and discrimination and that’s where you come in.

Making a pledge shows your support to the everyone in our community, including our LBGTQIA+ teammates and fans. You can pledge anything you feel comfortable in expressing, here's a few ideas to get you started:

  • I pledge to report any incident or discrimination I see within the stadium and elsewhere
  • I pledge to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community
  • I pledge to support and welcome LBGTQIA+ teammates and fans
  • I pledge to be an active ally to the LGBTQIA+ community
  • I pledge to be visible and challenge negative behaviours
  • I pledge to influence others and be a positive role model and ally
  • I pledge to promote and further equality for all

“We wanted to do something really meaningful that our fans could get involved in,” said supporter services manager, Sarah Gould. “Given we are situated in a very diverse city, and we’ve always been proud to support our LGBTQIA+ community, we feel Albion Allies can have a really positive effect moving forward.

“By making a pledge and becoming an Albion Ally it can help ensure a positive environment on a matchday, as it is our belief that everyone should feel safe and welcome when they come to watch Albion play regardless of their background.”

Working together and showing support for each other through this initiative, regardless of background, identity or circumstance, means that we can make matchdays and our local community a better, fairer place. So please, make your pledge now and become an Albion Ally.

As well as launching this initiative, we were thrilled to have members from the Ledward Centre/Rainbow HUB community, players from Sussex Women’s Recreational football teams and Brighton Queer Meet Up Group join us on the pitch for the Rainbow Laces flag ceremony. We hope you join us in making Brighton & Hove Albion an LGBTQIA+ safe space, now and in the future.

If you experience or witness discrimination, harassment, victimisation or abuse, please tell the nearest steward or message us via WhatsApp on 07880 196442 (you can also text the same number).