Manchester United has agreed a strategic partnership with lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT+) equality charity Stonewall, as the Old Trafford looks to further promote diversity and inclusion across the club under its ‘All Red All Equal’ banner.
The club will sign up to Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, which helps employers embed LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace, and gain access to expert consultation, training and dedicated resources from Stonewall to support the club’s work on LGBT+ inclusion.
United became the first football club to join Stonewall’s TeamPride coalition in 2017, and the club has also supported the charity’s Rainbow Laces campaign, created an internal Pride Network for LGBT+ employees and, last year, launched its first LGBT+ Supporters’ group, Rainbow Devils.
Richard Arnold, Manchester United Group MD, said: “We’re immensely proud of our relationship with Stonewall and delighted to be taking it to the next level with this strategic partnership. Diversity is a source of strength for Manchester United and ensuring a welcoming environment for LGBT+ employees and fans is a crucial part of that.”
Nancy Kelley, chief executive of Stonewall, said: “Many LGBT+ people want to take part in sport, either as players or fans, but at the moment not everyone feels welcome. We also know that most sports fans want to see sports be better and more inclusive.
“To make this happen, we need individuals and organisations to step up to show their support for LGBT+ people and that’s what Manchester United has done today.”
