Brentford's upcoming fixtures at home to Luton Town and away to Brighton and Hove Albion will be dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign.  

For these games, we’ll be showing our support for all LGTBQ+ people in football and advocate for equality and diversity in the beautiful game and beyond.

For this year’s campaign, we asked the LGBeeTs, Brentford’s fan-run group of supporters who identify as LGBTQ+, to share their stories.

Kate Graham was born in Hounslow and has been coming to Griffin Park and now Gtech Community Stadium with her brother from a young age.

She spoke to the club about the difference the work between the club and the LGBeeTs has made to her experience as a member of the Bees family:

“My experience as a fan majorly changed when I got involved with the LGBeeTs. I’ve been involved for five and a half years now and it’s brilliant. A group of likeminded people, all lovely folks, who just want to chat about Brentford, shout and sing songs, meet up in the pub. 

“It’s really lovely to be in a group where I don’t have that sense of anxiety, I’m just here with my mates.”

Kate told us how she’s seen the relationship between Brentford and the LGBeeTs grow over the years:

“It’s really powerful to the see the club has become really committed to ongoing conversations with the group and supporting where they can. But also, that they’ve reached out to other community organisations like the West London Queer Project to work together. Brentford is listening to the LGBTQ+ community and helping it grow.”

On the Rainbow Laces campaign, Kate expressed how important visibility is to normalising the presence of LGBTQ+ people in football:

“Just seeing the rainbow flag go around the stadium, it acknowledges that the LGBTQ+ fans are here, they have every right to be here. We’re just as loud as every other fan; we’re doing our job as the twelfth man! 

“I remember seeing the rainbow laces on Harlee Dean’s boots. That has an impact on me as a fan. It makes me feel welcome, it makes me feel part of what’s happening.” 

Find out how to get involved with the LGBeeTs on our fan groups page.

Celebrating Rainbow Laces this season

Luton Town – Saturday 2 December, Gtech Community Stadium 

Our matchday programme for Brentford’s home fixture against Luton cover has been designed to include the progress flag and inside will be an interview with Mollie Dench of Brentford Women about the importance of being yourself whilst playing football and what the men’s game can learn from the women’s game on LGBTQ+ inclusion. 

Head into the stadium early to hear a pre-match interview with Aubrey Cauley from the West London Queer Project and Kate Graham on the Trust and club’s LGBTQ+ skills sessions.   

Our stewards will undertake specialist training before the match on the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion. 

Brighton and Hove Albion – Wednesday 6 December, Amex Stadium 

A unique Brighton and Rainbow Laces inspired shirt will be unveiled before the match by three members of the LGBeeTs and the Proud Seagulls, Brighton’s LGBTQ+ inclusive fan group. 

The matchday programme will include an interview with the Proud Seagulls and Gemma Teale, co-founder of the LGBeeTs.

They will also feature in a pre-match interview about the importance of LGBTQ+ fan groups.

Brentford FC Pride range available to buy 

Pride-themed Bees merch is available to buy at the Bees Superstore or online, with 20 per cent of revenues from sales donated to the LGBTQ+ charity Switchboard. 

10-year anniversary, special edition glitter rainbow laces are available to buy. Please use the official Stonewall Shopify page to make sure you’re supporting the campaign.

Attend our LGBTQ+ Skills Sessions 

Last February, Brentford FC, the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust alongside the West London Queer Project and the LGBeeTs held the first LGBTQ+ Skills Session providing the LGBTQ+ community and allies with an opportunity to play football and try the sport.  

Kate says: “All you need is a willingness to take part. I love Brentford and I want other people from my community to see the changes, feel included and be a part of it. These skills session sessions will really help that.” 

The free sessions in the new year will take place at Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club (Syon Ln, Osterley, Isleworth TW7 5PN) on the below dates: 

Saturday 27 January, 10-11.30am 

Saturday 24 February, 10-11.30am 

Saturday 30 March, 10-11.30am 

Sign up for the session by completing this form.