The Justin Campaign - Campaigning Against Homophobia in Football

The Justin Campaign was founded to demonstrate that ten years after Justin Fashanu’s tragic suicide in 1998, homophobia is still hugely prevalent in the world of 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 gay & bisexual men & women in football and work towards a future where the visibility of gay and bisexual men in professional football are both accepted and celebrated.

There are a number of things you can do to support us. Sign our petition, 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

Mark Chapman

BBC 5 Live Journalist

Mark Chapman (aka 'Chappers'), sports presenter, journalist and BBC Radio 1 DJ recently presented a show called Inside Sport – Football's Last Taboo, taking an honest look at the problem of homophobia in football.

Read our interview with Mark Chapman

Football v Homophobia was 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

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 committing suicide.

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.