Argentine transgender footballer Mara Gomez (C) of Villa San Carlos reacts as she is given a jersey of Lanus with her name on it as present after an Argentina first division female football match against Between Villa San Carlos and Lanus at Genacio Salice stadium in Berisso, Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 7, 2020. - Gomez is the first transgender footballer to play in the first division of the Argentine female league. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

Argentina welcomes first transgender player

Argentina's Villa San Carlos handed Mara Gomez her debut on 7 December, making her the first transgender woman to play for a top flight women's team in the country.
Supporters stand in front of a giant screen displaying a rainbow flag to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting of Orlando, in a fan zone in Paris during the Euro 2016 football tournament on June 13, 2016. / AFP / Thomas SAMSON (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images)

An open letter from LGBTQ+ people and allies in football

A collective of LGBT+ people and allies with roles in football and across sport have come together to sign an open letter, explaining why this ongoing media coverage is not helping to make the game more inclusive.
Apr 1981: Portrait of Justin Fashanu of Norwich City.

Justin Fashanu finally inducted into Football Hall of Fame

Justin Fashanu was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday as a trailblazer in the game as the first £1m black player and the first professional footballer to come out as gay, a decision that was to cost him his life.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: A genearal view of Stonewall Rainbow laces branding outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at London Stadium on December 09, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Racism, homophobia and hatred driving fans away even at Arsenal

A 3-1 win and, hopefully, the start of a new era at Arsenal, but for one long-time supporter, the evening left her "with a sick feeling in my stomach and an overwhelming sense of disillusionment with attending live football." 

Megan Rapinoe attends Arsenal game, criticises Donld Trump’s racism

Megan Rapinoe was at Arsenal's game against Fiorentina on Saturday night and she took some time out to pose with fellow social justice warrior, Hector Bellerin, before speaking about Donald Trump's latest racist episode.

Pride in London: GayGooners have float in Pride parade, Gunnersaurus to appear

Six years after leaping over a Pride barrier to march with the UK’s first LGBT+ football fan group, an Arsenal season-ticket holder is organising the club’s biggest-ever Pride appearance.
Supporters stand in front of a giant screen displaying a rainbow flag to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting of Orlando, in a fan zone in Paris during the Euro 2016 football tournament on June 13, 2016. / AFP / Thomas SAMSON (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Mertesacker: It could be a sign football isn’t ready for homosexuality

Per Mertesacker thinks football may not be ready, still, for 'homosexuality', and I have to say his assessment is probably right on the money.
Supporters stand in front of a giant screen displaying a rainbow flag to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting of Orlando, in a fan zone in Paris during the Euro 2016 football tournament on June 13, 2016. / AFP / Thomas SAMSON (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images)

How do we fight homophobia in football?

A recent report from the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee has further highlighted the problem of homophobia in sport and has made suggestions on how governing bodies can take a zero tolerance approach.

Why isn’t the men’s game as progressive? Homosexuality in women’s football

Prior to England Women winning the Cricket World Cup, England footballer Carly Telford was interviewed by the BBC and wished her cricket-playing partner good luck.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Sari van Veenendaal (L) and Katie McCabe of Arsenal Women celebrate winning the FA WSL League with the Arsenal supporters after the WSL match between Brighton and Hove Albion Women and Arsenal Women at Amex Stadium on April 28, 2019 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Arsenal star proud to use ‘platform to speak up’ for LGBTQ community

While men's football still might not be able to cope with the thought of a gay player, women's football has been a lot more...
Supporters stand in front of a giant screen displaying a rainbow flag to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting of Orlando, in a fan zone in Paris during the Euro 2016 football tournament on June 13, 2016. / AFP / Thomas SAMSON (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Per Mertesacker: It could be a sign football isn’t ready for homosexuality

Per Mertesacker thinks football may not be ready, still, for 'homosexuality', and I have to say his assessment is probably right on the money.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the warm up before the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on October 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Arsenal remind us why we love Hector Bellerin

Unlike many footballers, Hector Bellerin has never shied away from talking about the larger, more important issues at play in the world today and on Monday night Arsenal reminded us of why he thinks it's important footballers use their platform to exact change.

German FA make moves to help transgender fans

The German FA recently took the step of introducing unisex toilets to help ease the struggles of transgender people at their games.

Time called on *that* Chelsea chant as Nottingham Forest face investigation

Nottingham Forest are facing an investigation after their fans allegedly sang a common chant aimed at Chelsea that should have been banned from the game long ago.

Nobody is demanding Santa change gender – it’s all a lie to get you...

A story took hold over the weekend that ‘snowflakes’ are demanding Santa is changed to female or gender neutral, eliciting outrage across the internet and fuelling hate from the right-wing.
arsenal news gossip recap roundup

Liverpool premium, corruption, hypocrisy & more: Stories you might have missed

It’s been quiet out there in Arsenal land all week, so here is a quick round-up of some wider football stories you might have missed but which caught my eye.
France's forward Olivier Giroud drinks after a training session in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines on March 26, 2016 ahead of a friendly football match against Russia. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Olivier Giroud continues to be an LGBTQ+ ally

Olivier Giroud has always been an ally in the LGBT fight and the former Arsenal forward has again spoken out about homophobia in football.
MCLEAN, VA - JUNE 13: World Champion hockey star Alex Ovechkin shaves his 'playoff beard' with the Gillette Fusion ProShield Razor during an official Gillette Shave event on June 13, 2018 in Mclean, Virginia. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for Gillette)

Men have it easier than women

One of the great’ things about always knowing you were meant to be born in a male body but having to spend most of your life in a female one is that you get to experience a lot of things from both sides.

Doctors agree World Cup protestor ‘almost certainly poisoned’

German doctors believe the Pussy Riot band member who fell ill after being released from prison was almost certainly poisoned, adding that he may be the victim of an unknown “anticholinergic agent.”

We think that he was poisoned: World Cup protester seriously ill

Pytor Verzilov, a member of the prominent anti-Kremlin activist band, Pussy Riot, that stormed the World Cup final is seriously ill with members of the groups suggesting he might have been poisoned.
media watch

Anti-trans writers continue to do harm

Over the weekend, the Telegraph published an article entitled ‘Transgender politics is a world where if I say a thing is true, it is’ by Melanie McDonagh in their premium section. It then appeared in Monday's actual Telegraph. 

LGBTQ+ league partners with County FA for first time

An LGBTQ+ friendly football league has agreed a partnership with a County FA for the first time.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Pitch invaders are chased by security staff during the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse / Getty Images)

Pussy Riot members jailed for World Cup protest

Four members of Pussy Riot who invaded the pitch during the World Cup final on Sunday have been sentenced to 15 days in jail.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Pitch invaders are chased by security staff during the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse / Getty Images)

Pussy Riot at the World Cup

The World Cup was disrupted on Sunday afternoon as activist group, Pussy Riot, invaded the pitch, but do you know who they are and what they were protesting?
TOPSHOT - A Mexico's fan waves a Mexican national flag as he cheers prior to the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 17, 2018. (Photo by Patrik STOLLARZ / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS

FIFA open proceedings against Mexico for homophobic chants

Mexico are facing punishment from FIFA for the homophobic chanting of their fans at the World Cup in Russia
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Fran Kirby of Chelsea holds off pressure from Danielle van de Donk of Arsenal during the SSE Women's FA Cup Final match between Arsenal Women and Chelsea Ladies at Wembley Stadium on May 5, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

TERFs target Arsenal v Chelsea game: Who are they and why you should care

TERFs. It’s a word you probably don’t know as it’s not exactly a hot button topic in the world of football, but this weekend they ventured into our universe with a protest of sorts outside the Women’s FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea.

Gareth Thomas urges FA to police homophobia as stringently as racism

Former Wales rugby player, Gareth Thomas, believes that football isn't ready for openly gay players due to the amount of homophobia still surrounding the sport.

Homosexuality in women’s football: Why isn’t the men’s game as progressive?

Prior to England Women winning the Cricket World Cup, England footballer Carly Telford was interviewed by the BBC and wished her cricket-playing partner good luck.
rainbow flag

Zambian Football Association look to ban LGB discrimination, face strong opposition

A draft constitution from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), including a clause that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, has faced opposition from the government, churches and the wider public.