February 19th was the first Football v Homophobia Day, highlighting the enduring problem of homophobia in football. Nottingham Ball Bois have already supported this with a contribution to an LGBT exhibition at Nottingham Council House on February 16th, and there will be events at the match against Birmingham Blaze on February 21st. The annual day of support is part of The Justin Campaign which exists to break down the barriers of homophobia within football at all levels.

Through numerous events, The Justin Campaign aims to spotlight the enduring problem of homophobia in football.  The overall aim of the campaign is to provide an environment whereby any person within the sport can be themselves by being open about their sexuality should they so wish.

The campaign, named in honour of Justin Fashanu - the only professional football player to ever come out as openly gay- works towards equality for all sexualities in the game.  For more information see the campaign website at www.thejustincampaign.com. For information on Nottingham Ball Bois own work against homophobia, see our anti-homophobia campaign page.

The exhibition on February 16th took place at Nottingham Council House, Old Market Square at 7.30pm and is a preview of the Nottingham Rainbow Heritage Exhibition for LGBT History Month. Attendance is free and open for all, and is an opportunity to find out about Nottingham Ball Bois in our championship-winning year. The exhibition proper takes place at the Broadway Cinema between Tuesday 23 and Sunday 28 February - look on the events page for full details of opening times.

On Sunday February 21st, Nottingham Ball Bois are encouraging as many players and supporters both old and new and from both teams to come along for the match to show their support for this initiative.  There will be banners, posters and arm bands for players to wear.  We will also be encouraging all players and supporters to fill the centre circle for a minute-long round of applause to show our support for the campaign and what it stands for.  We will then be heading to Propaganda for after match food and where there will be visual displays of support for the campaign.  We would like to thank Propaganda for the support for this event. The match kicks-off at 2pm at Gresham Playing Fields, full details on the events page.