Pass, 'International Football Fans v Homophobia Conference'

This pass was worn by Paul Amann on 17 August 2013 at the International Football Fans v Homophobia Conference, in Manchester. Paul spoke at the conference about developing a Liverpool Football Club LGBT supporters group in 2011, as well as sharing his knowledge of working with a Premier League Club. The conference was organised by FARE, an organisation set up to combat all forms of discrimination, including racism, far-right nationalism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia and discrimination against disabled people through the inclusive nature of football. The conference was attended by over 120 football fans from across Europe. Whilst attitudes in the UK have become increasingly less homophobic, biphobic and transphobic, the football world has not progressed as quickly. A BBC 5 Live survey conducted in 2016 showed that 8% of football fans would abandon their team if they were to sign an openly gay player. In the Premier League, homophobia has been reported by fans and players, from fellow fans, players, the media, and club management. "I've had players over the years who were single and read books and so others said they must be gay. I think being openly gay would be something very difficult to live with in football. You can get drunk and beat up your wife and that's quite acceptable, but if someone were to say 'I'm gay', it's considered awful. It's ridiculous." Alan Smith, football manager, speaking to BBC News, 11 November 2005