[UK] “Film will do a good job of challenging homophobia”
Monday 8 Feb 2010
Kick It Out has reiterated it's backing of an FA-led film to challenge homophobia in football.
The film, a 60-second advert, has been hailed as "groundbreaking" and comes after a Stonewall report last year found that homophobia was prevalent in the sport.
Piara Powar, Director of Kick It Out, said, “We believe the ad is a decisive step in the long battle to tackle homophobic attitudes, abuse and harassment.
“The film has a strong narrative that will reflect the reality of gay abuse and kick-start awareness of both the need to tackle homophobia and to help to educate our target audiences to understand what is abusive, illegal and damages our game.
The film has been commissioned through leading ad agency Ogilvy, who contrast the behaviour of a fan inside a stadium with his behaviour in everyday life.
Powar responded to descriptions of the script as controversial by saying,
“The project team consulted a wide range of members of the LGBT community, including formal consultations with respected charity Stonewall, campaigner Peter Tatchell of Outrage, and the Gay Football Supporters Network. All agreed the strategy and approved the script before production.
“As campaigners with a long record of success of tackling discrimination in football we know our audience well and are confident the film will have the desired impact.
“However, we also know that a film of this kind cannot by itself solve the problem of homophobia in football. We intend to start an active debate that will be followed up by a series of other interventions, from within football and from within the LGBT community.”
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