Rainbow Laces: West Ham's LGBTQ+ fan group praises club after 'Pride Bar' launch event

West Ham marking 10th anniversary of Rainbow Laces campaign with pop-up 'Hammers Pride Bar'; LGBTQ+ fan group Pride of Irons says club has gone extra mile on inclusion but it is still «fighting» to stop homophobia; former player Matt Jarvis reflects on memorable allyship moment in 2013

@jonboy79

Wednesday 29 November 2023 18:09, UK

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The growth of fan groups for LGBTQ+ people and allies in British football has been a remarkable development over the last decade.

Gay Gooners at Arsenal were the first, officially founded back in 2013, and were followed soon after by Proud Canaries (Norwich), Canal Street Blues (Manchester City) and Proud Lilywhites (Tottenham).

There are currently thought to be around 50 such groups that are active, raising awareness of diversity and creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ supporters to feel more welcome and safe when attending games, whilst also building community.

Pride of Irons began as a social media account that was started up by former chair Jim Dolan in the wake of a homophobic incident he experienced at West Ham's old Upton Park home.

The group, for Hammers fans who are lesbian, gay, bi and trans, and for their friends and family, was officially launched with the Premier League club's backing eight years ago and now has over 500 members.

To mark the close partnership between the club and the group, and to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Rainbow Laces campaign, a pop-up 'Hammers Pride Bar' will be in place at the Two More Years space in Hackney Wick near the London Stadium from Saturday for six days.

A special opening party this week brought together Pride of Irons and West Ham personnel, including former captain and