A competition to design a logo to unite sports clubs, fans and
players behind a government campaign against homo and transphobia
in sport was launched by the Minister for Equalities, Lynne
Featherstone, this week.
Budding designers have been asked to create an emblem for sports
clubs, fans and players across the country to mark their support
for the campaign.
The competition is targeted at young people but is open to
anyone with creative flair.
Applicants have been asked to come up with a design that conveys
a message of inclusion and respect in sport.
Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone said: "Over 2,000
individuals and clubs have already signed up to the Government
Charter for Action to kick homophobia and transphobia out of sport
and I thank them for their support.
"The competition will help encourage even more people to get
involved and spread the message far and wide that homophobic and
transphobic abuse is never acceptable."
Rugby Union star Ben Cohen will choose the top designs from all
the entries; it will then be over to the general public to vote in
February for the winner. The winning design will become the
official logo for the campaign.
Ben Cohen, MBE, England Rugby World Cup champion said: "I am
passionate about standing up against homophobia and making sure
sport is a welcoming place for everyone. The winning logo will
allow sports fans, players and clubs to clearly show their support
for tackling this issue and help unite everyone who loves sport
behind this important campaign."
Prizes donated by The Football Association, The Football League,
The Lawn Tennis Association, the Rugby Football League and Ben
Cohen include: two tickets to the Championship playoff finals at
Wembley and a tour of Wembley Stadium.
The Charter for Action was launched in March this year and commits
signatories to challenge discrimination and work to rid sport of
homophobic and transphobic abuse both on the stands and in the
field, so that everyone can take part in and enjoy sport.
Signatories include Ben Cohen, tennis star Martina Navratilova and
film director David Furnish, as well as the Football Association,
the Lawn Tennis Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board,
the Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union.
The deadline for entry to the competition is 18 January
2012.
