Helena Dillon’s Post

🌈 Being an Ally: More Than Words 🌈 What does it truly mean to be an ally? To me, it's about putting your money where your mouth is. I have written about my difficult relationship with sport as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, especially with Liverpool Football Club, I've witnessed the positive shift in premier league football clubs' attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community—from hostility to inclusivity and equity. Former Liverpool skipper, Jordan Henderson, stood out as a shining example of integrity, consistently opposing homophobia and proudly supporting the LGBTQ+ community during his 12-year tenure at Liverpool FC. However, his recent decision to join Saudi side Al-Ettifaq for a rumored £700,000 per week (link to article in comments) is deeply disappointing. How can one claim to be a genuine ally while choosing to play for a club in a country that persecutes, imprisons, and even kills people based on their sexual orientation? It's disheartening to see Jordan, along with two other former Liverpool FC legends, Robbie Fowler and Steven Gerrard, compromise their past displays of allyship for a hefty paycheck. Kudos to Kop Outs and Paul Amann for their open letter and Thomas Hitzlsperger for boldly calling out Jordan's hypocrisy. Being an ally requires real commitment and unwavering support, even when faced with tough decisions. As a community, let's encourage open dialogue and promote genuine allyship in sports and beyond. Together, we can create a world where actions align with the values we uphold. 💪🏳️🌈 #LGBTQ+ #Allyship #Inclusion #FootballForAll

Sharing an example how you can make an impact and drive global change! I set up the not-for-profit World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC) to disrupt homophobia etc. in sport🥊🏳️🌈 Following an incident at UFC 298, Sports Gazette published an article about homophobia and anti-LGBTQ+ abuse in combat sports. The harsh reality is nothing changes unless people have the courage to stand up and do something. This is where opportunities for leadership and greatness are found! The article contains two examples of world first initiatives I led and delivered… 🥊 Collaborating with the WBC on a statement announcing their allyship to the community. 🥊Successfully holding a boxing competition for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. The final paragraph of the article has an excellent Call To Action: Inspire a new wave of advocacy. Could this be YOU? (link to article in comments)

This is diversity, equality and inclusion, right here. Football has been slow to recognise diversity. In the late 1970s, West Bromwich Albion FC had the Three Degrees (an awful nickname) of Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendan Batson, three talented players who were at the forefront of racial discrimination in the sport. Racism is still an issue in the sport. Some would argue that there is a change in attitude to one of tolerance, but note this is not acceptance! The topic of LGBTQI+ remains a largely taboo subject. Players such as Thomas Hitzelsperger (former Aston Villa player, with a thumping left foot) felt he couldn't be his genuine self during his playing career. Others, like Justin Fashanu did and it cost him his career, family and ended in his suicide in 1998. We now have players like Josh Cavallo, the first player in top flight men's football to 'come out', and Quinn, the first transgender player to have confidence and, to a degree, allyship to be open about who they are. It is incredibly brave of these LGBTQ± players to be their true selves. Building an environment of allyship is hugely supportive for them. Players like Aaron Ramsdale are actively taking a stand in the matter due to family members being gay. Brighton and Hove Albion FC fly the pride flag proudly. They see and recognise the people that support them and their wider community. The team and fans have often been subject to homophobic abuse because of the 10.73% of Brighton's population being part of the LGBTQ+ community. The game is gradually changing. It is recognising diversity and is creating an inclusive environment. However, others need to challenge the prejudicial views of others, like Brighton and Hove Albion FC, Aaron Ramsdale and others. If English football can start recognising and including #lgbtqiaplus there is no reason why other businesses and industries can't. #lgbtq #equalityanddiversity #deib #edandI #equality #diversity #inclusion #belonging #transgender #brightonandhove

I'd been waiting to hear from Jordan Henderson about his controversial transfer to the Saudi Pro League and the consequences for his public and long-term support of the LGBTQ+ community. The interview turned out to be quite underwhelming, but his situation can help us reflect on the effects of public purpose/social statements from athletes. Next week's The Good Football newsletter will cover this topic in more detail, but here are a few of my thoughts on it so far: 💭 For better or worse, I believe he needed to speak up about his decision, and I'm glad he did. But maybe a long interview wasn't the best choice in this case since it ended up highlighting his lack of preparation to speak on the subject. 💭 I got the feeling that he could have been more honest and open about his motives. We cannot claim to know them better than himself, but it is quite hard to connect the dots presented by him. 💭 People tend to use a different ruler to measure those who stand up for something and commit to a cause or group. It's almost like they are not allowed to fail like the others, and there is usually less grace towards them. Add to that today's context, in which social media is extremely fast to both praise and destroy people, and the equation doesn't look good for Henderson. 💭 It will be interesting to follow the aftermath of this episode - will it scare off other athletes from publicly committing to a cause in the future? Or maybe encourage them to take the commitment more seriously? Or even serve as a turning point for Henderson himself to reevaluate his commitment? #football #jordanhenderson #personalbranding #linkedinsports #socialimpact

ALLOW ME TO PROPOSE THIS AGAIN IN THE MODEL OF THE MOVIE RUNAWAY JURY............. THAT PSYOPS CAN AND DOES ALTER THE OUTCOMES OF ATHLETIC EVENTS AND JURIES........... PERHAPS WE MAY CONSIDER CONCENTRATIONS OF HARP TO ALTER THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTION. THE COINCIDENCE IS THE ASCENDCY OF THE PAGAN MILITARY AND GOVT CONVERSION OF DEMOGRAPHIC THAT CAN BE SEEN LOCALLY IN PAGAN MILITANT LGBTQ PIRATE SHIPS SAILING WITH TRANSPARENCY IN ST LOUIS AVIATION DEFINING AND VETTING THE DAY INCREMENTALLY.? PERHAPS BOB MCCULLOCH PROPSERED WITH MAGIC OR AREA POLICE CONDIITONING COMPLIANCE AND HAVING AN INSIDE PEAK OF THE OPPOSITION? SUPPOSE THE MICHAEL JACKSON OUTCOME OT THE KEVIN FOWLER SPACEY OUTCOME? SUPPOSE THE FERGUSON OUTCOME AND MAJOR HAASAN OUTCOME? SCRIPTING TAKING ROLES IN A CONFLICT TO CRESENDO AND CONTINUE TO DIP INTO THE WEL OF DISASTER AS THE ST LOUIS GIRLS PROJECT THEIR PERSONALITY PROFILE OF THE DARK TRIAD PSYCHOPATH......... NO TRAINING......... THIS IS THE SADISTIC VIOLENCE OF MIND AND BODY ASSERTED AFFIRMED BY THE COUNTRY CLUB ELITE OF ST LOUIS AS PATRONS FACILITATING WHAT OUTCOME IN THIS TIPPING POINT IN THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND THAT OF PROPHETIC TIME EXPLOITATION?

During a meeting with the French National Assembly on the fight against homophobia in sport, Arnaud Rouger, Managing Director of the French Professional Football League (LFP - Ligue de Football Professionnel) reported a certain confusion for some players in wearing a shirt with the rainbow colors of the LGBT+ flag, which could be understood as a "promotion of homosexuality". While Vincent Labrune, President of LFP pleaded for a systematic interruption of the game in the event of homophobic chanting and shouting, he dismissed the definitive aspect of this stoppage "by principle of reality", adding that "if we interrupt every game definitively, there's no more game". Under the pretext of not letting homophobes win, they wonder how best to fight against it otherwise. But shouldn't the soccer world be taught that you don't promote something that's a matter of identity? Homosexuality is not a brand or a way of thinking that needs advertising. Homophobia is a crime. Just like racism. Affirming one's commitment once a year is not much to ask of a federation and its members when their field is littered with clichés and reprehensible behavior. It's about time the LFP showed some courage. While it's perfectly normal for leadership to be concerned about the economic health of its organization, it's just as essential to put a firm stop to the verbal and physical violence it trivialize. And to understand once and for all that believing that a lobby is trying to impose a message would be as hackneyed as saying that soccer is only full of rednecks. At least, that remains to be proven! #soccer #football #homophobie #lgbtq

If there’s anything I’ve learned in the last few years, is that working as a professional in sport as an open gay man who is unapologetically myself… You don’t get a snappin’ rainbow fans at professional footballers without having to take a few punches first. My queer sport colleagues and I have and continue to forge or paths through a field that is often hostile and rough to traverse. We’ve faced setbacks and even outright discrimination that has made things difficult. We keep taking the punches and continue moving forward. We are stronger, tougher, more resilient because of it, and we deliver on it too. For us, the stakes are higher and the pressure is greater to succeed without compromising who we are. Yet, it’s the best of who we are that sets us apart from the rest whole being able to express that to help our athletes, colleagues, peers, and ourselves to succeed in ways they never even considered. This charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent within us all is truly what it takes to keep moving forward. Im proud of all my LGBTQ+ sport friends and colleagues who are foraging their paths along with me. It is with your support, leadership, and guidance that have helped me to stay strong with it, especially on those times I wanted to give up. I always say that sport is an expression of the best of who you are, this applies to athletes and sport professionals both. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏋️🥊🏊♂️💪 https://lnkd.in/e-Wn9vCf #SportsDiversity #SportPsychology #SportScience #strengthandconditioning #coach #coaching #sport #gaycoach #lgbtsport #queersport #gaysport

We need #leadership in #Europe and around the #world. Because the time for half-measures and empty promises is over. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. We must dismantle the barriers that stand in the way of #LGBTIQ+ #equality, brick by brick. We must challenge the status quo and confront the #bigotry that poisons our societies. And we must do it now, before any more lives are lost to hatred and ignorance. Because a society that embraces #diversity and equality is a much better and much healthier society. Because dear colleagues, it’s not #gay 🏳️🌈 people who should fight for gay #rights. It’s not #Palestinians 🇵🇸 who should fight for #freedom. It’s not #Ukrainians 🇺🇦 who should defend their territory. It’s for ALL of us to defend what is right and condemn what is wrong. It’s for ALL of us to defend #humanrights.

Anti-LGBTQ rallies across Canada shine a light on the critical importance of creating inclusive and safe spaces where everyone can thrive. As we work alongside one another, collaborating in and leading teams, we must acknowledge with empathy, grace, and humanity how times of crisis, such as these attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, can impact how our colleagues might show up. Building more equitable and inclusive workplaces—and forging a more equitable world—is the work of a lifetime. But it’s also an everyday practice. One that calls on us to take steps to lead with empathy and create psychologically safe spaces where everyone can feel supported.    During moments of crisis like this, it’s important to connect with our colleagues and teams. If you don’t know where to start, please read through this resource: https://lnkd.in/djJjK2m #LGBTQRights #Solidarity #Allyship #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion 

Since our beginning, Lambda Legal has always been about freedom. The freedom to love who you love, which we won at the Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003. The freedom to marry who you want, which we won at the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. And the freedom to be who you are, which we continue to fight for today. But today, our freedom is under attack in America. A wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is sweeping across nearly every state in our country, threatening to roll back a half century of work and our hard-won rights. Once again, Lambda Legal is the last line of defense for our community. This is a dark time. We are in a fight about the fundamental values of our nation. Fighting back against hate requires nothing less than a bold and unprecedented response. As we mark this Independence Day, learn more about the fight ahead at https://lnkd.in/eeWan3xp #UnstoppableFuture #Equality #Freedom #FourthOfJuly