As part of LFC’s Red Together campaign – which demonstrates the club’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion – a range of activities will take place next month to help raise awareness of the issues affecting the LGBT+ community.
From July 1, fans will see the club’s iconic Liver bird crest displayed in Progress Pride colours across its digital platforms for the entire month, as well as new and exciting items added to the popular LFC Pride range for Reds to have the opportunity to show their colours.
LFC Foundation’s successful Pride football tournament, now in its fifth year, will take place at the Academy in Kirkby on Saturday July 22. The tournament will see 20 teams take part in three fun and competitive tournaments across the day, with some of the club’s key stakeholders set to take part – including LFC’s Kop Outs, LDSA and Mersey Marauders.
The charity’s mental health team will host a stall for participants and attendees to visit at the tournament alongside local LGBT+ organisations to provide support and signposting. Workshops will also be delivered across their education programmes – including Premier League Primary Stars, Inspires, On Target and We Empower in schools across the city.
A new addition for 2023 is LFC Foundation’s Pride badge design competition for local school children and young participants to take part in and show their creative flair. The lucky winner will see their design printed on the club’s Pride 2023 pin badges.
The finale of the month-long celebrations will culminate in LFC staff and supporters walking side by side in solidarity and support of the LGBT+ community at LCR Pride Foundation’s ‘March with Pride’, which will take place on Saturday July 29 – starting from Liverpool’s iconic St George’s Plateau.
The LFC Pride retail range is also available from today across LFC’s online store, in-store and via the LFC Store app.
The new standout launch is the Pride name and number, LFC’s house font featuring Pride colours shading the numbers. Fans can personalise their LFC home shirt with pride.
Other items in the collection include Pride scarves, clothing and souvenirs. Once again, a percentage of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to local LGBT+ charities that the club is supporting as part of its Red Together campaign.
Last year, LFC’s Pride retail range raised £6,500 for two local LGBT+ charities – The Michael Causer Foundation and Young Person Advisory Service (YPAS) – who will use the Reds’ donation to support more young people.
Rishi Jain, LFC’s senior ED&I manager, said: “The club has been a proud supporter of the city’s Pride celebrations for over 10 years now as it’s as important as ever for us to celebrate the diversity of our fans whilst also raising awareness of important issues that continue to affect the LGBT+ community.
“Through our Red Together campaign, we are continually striving to make LFC a place where everyone feels welcome and can be their authentic self.”
To find out more about Red Together, LFC’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, please visit www.liverpoolfc.com/redtogether.