Being openly LGBTQ+ in football is still something we mostly only see in the women’s game and only ever at lower levels in the men’s, if we see it all.

Here we cover issues that impact LGBTQ+ in football (and, occasionally, we might touch on other sports too)

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“With social issues, I think as footballers we have a massive platform that we should be using way more than we actually are. I know it is very comfortable to just sit at home and stay with your family, your kids and your friends and not think about anything, but with the platform we have, we should be the people that scream at these social issues and out them out there, so as a society we can move forward.” Hector Bellerin

One Love bracelet pictured ahead of a soccer game between Belgium's national team the Red Devils and Canada, in Group F of the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Al Rayyan, State of Qatar on Wednesday 23 November 2022. BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY (Photo by BRUNO FAHY / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Leah Williamson: We’re trying to have a positive impact on society

England women's football captain, Leah Williamson, has said her squad will stand for inclusivity, highlighting the importance of "standing in solidarity" with those facing discrimination.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 23: Close Up of the Captains 1 Love (One Love) armband of Germany during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between Germany and Hungary at Red Bull Arena on September 23, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Germany consider legal action over FIFA OneLove armband ban

The German Football Association (DFB) are considering taking legal action against FIFA after the sport's governing body banned teams from wearing a OneLove captain's armband.
rainbow flag

UEFA forced into LGBTQ+ rainbow armband climbdown

UEFA have been forced to close down an investigation into Manuel Neuer's rainbow armband after it was decided the rainbow is not political but a symbol for diversity.
Alex Scott on the racist abuse she received for being on Dancing with the Stars - Sunday People

Arsenal campaign to Stop Online Abuse

Arsenal have thrown their weight behind a campaign to try and tackle the issue of online abuse that targets and harms so many people.
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.