French campaign Paris Foot Gay
This Sunday will see the fifth annual International Day against Homophobia (Idaho), with organisations across the globe uniting to campaign for equal rights.
The French Premier League authorities and Paris Foot Gay (PFG) will be showing their support for the campaign on Sunday.
For the first time, a national event will be held in association with French professional clubs committed to fighting discrimination. Several events will be organised in French Premier League stadiums.
A video co-financed by the LFP will be shown on giant screens at Paris Saint Germain’s Parc des Princes stadium, Nantes’ Geoffroy Guichard stadium and Monaco’s Louis II stadium before the beginning of this weekend’s games.
Long time partner of PFG, Paris Saint Germain will host a game between PFG and the Variétés club de France before their game against Auxerre on Saturday.
Banner
The players of PSG and Auxerre will also be photographed with a banner saying "Red card to homophobia".A banner will also be displayed amongst the crowd.
The clubs of Auxerre, Monaco, Nice and Saint-Etienne have also committed to sign the Charter against homophobia, already signed by the LFP and the PSG.
Meanwhile, in Liverpool, a symbol of gay and lesbian pride will fly above the city’s Town Hall for the first time as a sign of solidarity with the family of a gay teenager beaten to death in a homophobic attack.
The gesture follows the murder of hairdresser Michael Causer, 18, who was set upon on 25 July 2008 in what a court heard was a homophobic attack. Mr Causer's family are also to be presented with a book of condolence.
To mark Idaho, Liverpool's lord mayor Councillor Steve Rotheram will meet members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities and their friends and families at the town hall on Sunday, where they will discuss plans for a Pride festival in the city.
History
The book of condolence, which was opened after the teenager's death and signed by thousands of people, will be presented by the lord mayor to Mr Causer's parents, Marie and Mike.
Mr Rotheram said: "I'm delighted to be lord mayor when the town hall makes history and flies the rainbow flag for the first time.
"Sunday's event will be a great opportunity for people to not only enjoy themselves but to also get involved with shaping a future Pride festival in the city.
"Homophobia is unacceptable and we want to do everything we can to promote diversity in this great city.
"I hope as many people as possible take part in the event and it's something we can continue for years to come."
An advert promoting the day can be seen below:
