All Premier League matches between 6-12 February will be dedicated to ‘With Pride’, aligning with LGBTQ+ History Month. The new initiative provides an opportunity to showcase the work being undertaken to make the game more inclusive, ensuring football is a sport for everyone.
Premier League With Pride branding will be visible at St. James’ Park on Saturday evening – through the ball plinth and handshake board - ahead of the match against Brentford.
The initiative has been developed in consultation with clubs, representatives from LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups and a wide range of stakeholders. This year’s campaign places a focus on three core themes: celebration, education and action.
CELEBRATION
The Premier League commissioned artist Ashton Attzs to create bespoke illustrations celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion. United With Pride has been honoured as part of the campaign, with a framed version of the illustration set to be presented to the fan group this weekend.
EDUCATION
Inclusion is a year-round commitment at Newcastle United. A variety of educational activities will run alongside this season’s Premier League With Pride campaign:
The club’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) team is delivering a specialised inclusivity workshop to the Newcastle United Academy Under-18s squad, with former footballer Zander Murray joining to share his experience within the game.
EDI workshops have also been delivered by Newcastle United Foundation’s EDI team through the NU Transitions programme, which helps students navigate key moments in their education – from moving into secondary school to preparing for life after Year 11.
The Foundation is also championing inclusivity in classrooms by rolling out new resources through Premier League Primary Stars, Premier League Kicks and Premier League Inspires programmes. These develop practical skills while sparking conversation on topics including respectful language and how to be a good ally of the LGBTQ+ community.
These initiatives fall under the club’s United As One banner, which facilitates continuous engagement with fans from all backgrounds.
ACTION
See it, challenge it, report it
Everyone can play a part in reporting homophobic and transphobic abuse. If you see it, challenge it and report it.
If discriminatory behaviour is witnessed whilst attending a match at St. James' Park, please report this immediately, where possible, by contacting the nearest steward.
Alternatively, you can contact the confidential text service on 60070, with the word 'HELP' giving your location (seat, row, block, stand) and a brief description of the incident.
On non-matchdays, supporters can report incidents by email via [email protected]
Newcastle United Foundation's community hub, NUCASTLE, is certified by Northumbria Police as a Safe Reporting Centre, providing a neutral location to gain advice and signposting on how to report hate crime or hate incidents – speak to a member of staff at NUCASTLE for support.
