Following on from last month’s interview at Kingsmeadow with three trailblazing supporters, LGBTQ+ journalist Snake Denton sat down with Chelsea Pride co-founder Ed Connell for more powerful conversation about identity, community, and the fight against discrimination…

What does it mean to star in Chelsea's Rainbow Laces campaign?

Ed: I’m very proud to be here. I helped set up the club’s LGBTQ+ fan group, and I’ve worked behind the scenes to help the club plan these campaigns, so it's nice to be on the other side of that.

Snake: This is a pinch-me moment. I’ve been coming to Stamford Bridge since I was eight years old, so to work with the club in any capacity is an honour. That kid in me is doing backflips.

Why is Rainbow Laces so important?

Ed: Because there's still a huge problem with homophobia in football. We obviously don't have any openly gay players, managers or officials in the top flight. And so the campaign brings awareness of those issues.

I grew up loving football but feeling like I didn't belong in the game – so nowadays, I can’t tell you how powerful it is for me to see a player wearing rainbow laces, or warming up in a rainbow laces top. It makes me feel that people recognise that we're here – we’re not just sort of hiding in the shadows – we’re active members of the football community, and it's really empowering for us to see players and officials taking part in the campaign.

Snake: I think it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we still need to go. The fact that there’s still some backlash towards seeing rainbow flags at the football makes the point for me. In a perfect world we probably wouldn’t need initiatives like this one, but we don’t live in a perfect world, so it’s necessary.

How has football helped you find your queer community?

Ed: I've been fortunate to have found a welcoming community in my life, and football has played a huge part of that. I was manager of an LGBTQ+ football team, I now referee LGBTQ+ leagues and tournaments. And having the Chelsea Pride fan group is great because I can share my love of the game with like-minded people that really understand me.

Snake: I’ve recently started playing for an LGBTQ+ football club. It’s been a positive experience because it’s allowed me to explore my sexuality, which can sometimes feel quite new and scary, through the prism of something that feels familiar and something that I love. I’ve met loads of other queer lads just like me. And it’s forced me to start getting out of bed on Saturday mornings at a decent time, which can only be a good thing.

Why is it important for there to be more LGBTQ+ visibility in football?

Ed: For a long time queer fans have felt disenfranchised from football. There hasn't been any representation on the pitch, and so for a lot of people, they've been put off playing and attending matches. At various stages of my life I’ve stepped away from football because I’ve felt it wasn't for me. I haven't felt safe or secure playing in straight leagues. I haven't felt able to be myself going to matches. I know it’s the same story for many football-loving members of our community.

That’s part of the reason why we put up the Chelsea Pride banner in the stadium. I sit opposite the banner, and I love it for two reasons: Firstly, it makes me feel at home, and I hope it makes other members of the queer community feel at home as well. Secondly, I think it's really important for the general perspective of all the fans, because it's a reminder to everybody that there is LGBTQ+ support here.

I'd like to think that when people see the banner, they may think twice before saying something discriminatory or abusive or homophobic. At the end of the day you have no idea whether the person next to you is straight, gay, bi, trans.

Snake: LGBTQ+ visibility is so important because it gives queer people the chance to feel like they belong in the game. I know my coming out journey would have been much easier if, when I was growing up, there was even one queer Premier League player that I could look up to. As the old adage goes: if you can’t see, you can’t be.

I especially think more visibility would benefit younger fans. So many teenagers watch football, and whether fans like it or not, a lot of them will be something other than straight. LGBTQ+ people exist. That’s just a reality. We should celebrate that fact, rather than asking queer people to quietly suffer and pretend to be something they’re not.

Are you surprised that there are no ‘out’ players in the top flight of English football?

Ed: No, I’m not surprised. If you're a gay footballer and you want to come out, there's going to be potentially huge ramifications for you. You'll know you're going to be subject to abuse from fans. That's inevitable. You know that you're going to be in the media spotlight. And you know, football players, like everyone else, just want to get on with their lives and do their jobs without having their personal lives scrutinised.

There's also concerns from some players, because they will be worried about how coming out might impact their professional career. I mean, there are many clubs owned by companies and organisations based in parts of the world where homosexuality is illegal. And obviously, if they were to come out, that might impact upon their ability to go and play for these teams, and it might impact on their ability to wear a shirt that carries certain sponsorships, for example.

Snake: I think Ed’s nailed it – obviously it’s remarkable, but it’s not ‘surprising’, when you take into account all those factors, and consider how high the stakes are for professional footballers. It’s a terrible shame because a Premier League player coming out would, in my opinion, drive more change than anything else. But it’s a huge responsibility, so I understand why we’ve been stuck in this strange catch-22 situation for so long.

Why are homophobic chants so damaging?

Ed: I’ve been in stadiums where there's been homophobic chanting, and it feels deeply personal. It makes you feel hated and unwelcome. I worry that those kinds of comments and chants could be overheard by a young supporter who might be thinking about coming out, and it could set them back several years and keep them in the closet.

Snake: I think for younger fans those chants normalise homophobia. Without even realising it, kids will internalise the belief that gay people are lesser, or the butt of the joke, or whatever. And I think for queer fans those chants make them feel like they don’t belong at matches. It feels targeted and personal. It’s never going to be ‘just banter’ if those issues impact you.

How do we tackle homophobia in the men's game?

Ed: I think the solution is education. We need to help people understand that being LGBTQ+ doesn't make you weaker or less than.

Snake: Yeah, I’d agree with that. I think conversations like this are important because hopefully you can change some minds. At the end of the day, queer football fans are still just football fans. We’re here because we love Chelsea – just like everyone else.

How can straight fans help in the fight against homophobia?

Ed: Probably the most important thing is just understanding. We don't need special treatment. We just want people to be tolerant and respectful. Remember that there’s almost certainly going to be LGBTQ+ fans within earshot of you, so just be mindful about the things you say.

Snake: Be empathetic and kind and switched on to the struggles of other people. Challenge homophobic chants and language (if you think it will make a difference and you’re not putting yourself in danger). Look after your queer mates.

What advice would you give to someone struggling to navigate their gender or sexual identity?

Ed: Coming out can be a very difficult process. You’ll need somebody that can support you. Try to find someone you trust, who you can speak to and be open with. I know it’s a cliche, but it does get better, and it's just about taking that first step and getting the courage to speak to somebody else. And if you don't have anyone in your life who you feel comfortable enough to talk to, there’s loads of resources online, and people you can speak to over the internet.

Snake: Try to find like-minded people who you can talk to about your experience. There are lots of really good queer therapists out there who deal with all sorts of issues relating to gender and sexuality. Be kind to yourself. Take it slow. Don’t let the boo-boys grind you down.