The Justin Campaign is taking a break over the 2013 season.

After an intensive 2011-2012 campaign, and a fabulously creative and effective 4 years of action, the Justin Campaign is taking a break over the 2013 season. However, don't worry! The fantastic volunteers who make up the Justin Campaign media team will still be posting information and comment via the blog, facebook page and twitter feed. In addition, the Justin Campaign's initiative Football v Homophobia will continue to carry the baton of making football inclusive for all. To find out more about Football v Homophobia and to get involved with the campaign, please visit the website. If you would like to get involved in the Justin Campaign and have ideas for new events, projects, campaigns or activism, then please get in contact via info@thejustincampaign.com.

What is the Justin Campaign?

The Justin Campaign was founded to demonstrate that ten years after Justin Fashanu’s tragic suicide in 1998, homophobia is still hugely prevalent in both grassroots and professional football.

Along with raising awareness the campaign has a strong focus on Art, Events, Education and football. Through these four key initiatives and some forward thinking strategic work with other inclusive sporting organisations, The Justin Campaign seeks to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions that exist around LGB & T (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans) people and work towards a future where the visibility of LGB & T people in football is both accepted and celebrated.

There are a number of things you can do to support us. Play for our campaigning team, The Justin Fashanu All-Stars, become a volunteer or make a donation.

Get involved

“Justin Fashanu forced the world of football to acknowledge that you can love men, whilst at the same time be a world-class footballer. His bravery has created inroads for our community in the football world and has inspired a generation of gay and bisexual men, who now believe that we to, can be part of the beautiful game.”

Jason Hall, Founding Director, The Justin Campaign

Quote from UEFA

"My personal congratulations to the Justin Campaign for a creative and inspiring idea to remember a genuine pioneer of football.”

William Gaillard, Senior Adviser to the President, Michel Platini

Aims and Objectives

To raise the participation of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) people in football at a grassroots level
To foster an environment where professional football players can feel comfortable being open about their sexuality
To engage with youth and adults through the use of sport and academia with the aim of eliminating discrimination and prejudice against LGBT people
To work strategically with partners to influence government, policy makers and statutory services to promote healthy lifestyles and well being among LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) people
To creatively challenge the negative stereotypes that surround LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) people
To actively challenge by any civil means any form of prejudice and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation

For all his talent, Justin Fashanu is chiefly remembered for two things: firstly, for being the world’s first openly gay professional footballer; and secondly, for taking his own life.

Whilst the long decline of the powerful centre-forward was not caused solely by his homosexuality, there is no doubt that the pressures and prejudices Justin experienced as a gay black man in the harsh world of professional football contributed significantly to his downfall.

Click here for more facts, figures and memories of Justin

Matt Bloomfield

Wycombe Wanderers
Midfielder

Matt Bloomfield is a Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) representative and, back in October 2011, on behalf of his club, became the first player to sign the Government Charter for Action to tackle homophobia and transphobia in football.

Football v Homophobia is an international day opposing homophobia in football, which provided an opportunity for individuals, communities and teams the world over to communicate their disapproval of homophobia in football and celebrate football’s diverse following under the banner of Football v Homophobia.

Find out about Football v Homophobia