Football v Homophobia Month of Action is well underway and we would like to highlight the successful grantees, alongside the calendar and locations of the events. We hope to see as many of you participate!

Albania

Intelektualet e rinj, Shpresë – IRSH (Right to Play for All)

24-25 February, Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkoder

A two-day workshop and public awareness action, bringing together young people, youth workers, civil society organisations and sports stakeholders to address discrimination and homophobia in football. The event features first-hand testimonies from professional athletes from women’s and men’s teams from Ghana, Brazil and Morocco, alongside legal input from the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination and concludes with a visible fan-zone action displaying anti-discrimination messages created by participants.

Argentina

Hecho Club Social (Street Soccer Against Homophobia)

20 February, Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires

A full-day street football tournament held on newly built public courts in Puerto Madero, bringing together teams of homeless people, individuals in addiction recovery, migrants, refugees, women’s teams and LGBTQINB+ athletes. Using the Street Football format of short-sided matches, the event combines play, public expression through posters and flip charts, and a closing debate with athletes, leaders and journalists to challenge homophobia and promote inclusion in one of Buenos Aires’ most visible public spaces.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Umoja Sport Foundation (BEYOND THE FIELD: Using Football as a Catalyst to Promote Acceptance and Combat Homophobia)

10 February, Lubumbashi

A five-day training programme, using football to address homophobia, displacement and social tension in a rapidly changing community. The project trains 30 physical education teachers and coaches through a mix of on-field sessions using a Purposeful Play curriculum and in-class workshops, covering topics such as welcoming refugees, creating safe sporting spaces, community engagement and positive role models.

France

Activ’elles (A Space of One’s Own – Women and Activism in Sport)

1 February, Nice

A public film screening and discussion centred on Un jeu à soi, a Franco-Argentinian documentary exploring feminist, social and sporting struggles in a progressive Argentina now under threat from the far right. The screening is followed by a debate linking these themes to the French and European context, examining the role of activism in keeping sport accessible and inclusive amid growing discrimination.

Italy

GAZZE FC (First Anniversary GAZZE FC)

9 February, Rome

A celebratory tournament and public event to mark the first anniversary of GAZZE FC, a radically inclusive five-a-side football team for women, non-binary and trans people. The event brings together allied Rome-based teams for a small tournament, followed by a public gathering that highlights feminist, intersectional and grassroots approaches to football.

Yousport Social Club (One Team, Many Identities)

10 February, Milan

A structured inclusion programme delivered during Anti-Homophobia Week, combining athlete education, match-day visibility and a coordinated social media campaign. Developed with PARKS – Liberi e Uguali, the project strengthens understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and builds a shared culture of respect within a multicultural football club.

Lupi Roma Outsport (COLPI DI TACCO – Football v Homophobia in Rome)

18 February, Rome

A community tournament and awareness event at the Liberi Nantes sports centre in Rome, bringing together three teams in a space reclaimed through volunteer action. Building on previous Football v Homophobia activities, the project combines matches, educational outreach, media engagement, visible campaign messaging and a shared social dinner to address homophobia, transphobia and racism through an intersectional approach.

Altropallone ASD Onlus (Football vs Homophobia: How Football Can Tackle Discrimination On and Off the Pitch)

27 February, Gianni Mura Sports Library, Milan

A day-long cultural and educational event as part of the inauguration of Milan’s Sports Library. The initiative brings together activists, authors, players and local clubs to explore football as a tool to combat homophobia through testimonies from the pitch, book presentations and a public conference, while strengthening local cooperation to address discrimination in sport across the city.

Nessun Fuorigioco (FLINTA Futsal Tournament)

28 February, Regaldi Field, Via Monteverdi 4, Turin

A FLINTA futsal tournament at the self-managed Regaldi field, bringing together eight transfeminist teams from Turin and other cities across northern Italy. Designed as a non-competitive space rooted in transfeminist, anti-racist and self-managed values, the event combines several hours of play with a follow-up talk at OST Barriera to share experiences, present local projects and strengthen networks between teams and organisations.

OFFSIDE Festival Italia (Homophobia OFF Limits)

28 February, Via Confalonieri 3, Milan

A public awareness event as part of the opening of Milan’s first Sports Library, focusing on homophobia in football through culture and dialogue. The initiative centres on the presentation and discussion of Giochiamo anche noi. L’Italia del calcio gay by Francesca Muzzi, using storytelling and shared fan experiences to challenge stereotypes, amplify LGBTQ+ visibility and promote inclusive narratives in Italian football.

Kenya

Refugee Independence Support Organisation (Kicking for Belonging: Football & Inclusion for TGNC Refugees and Youth)

1 February, Nairobi

A one-day inclusive football event in Nairobi bringing together TGNC/LGBTQI+ refugees, asylum seekers and local youth. Through mixed-team matches, an anti-homophobia workshop and community discussions, the project uses football to break down stigma and promote safer, more inclusive sporting spaces.

Namibia

Second Chance Street Soccer Project (Second Chance Street Soccer Community Event)

20 February, Windhoek

A social football event combining street soccer with workshops reflecting last year’s impact and planning future programmes. Alongside football, participants take part in discussions on life choices, poverty, homelessness, and drug and alcohol addiction, with the day concluding cultural performances that bring communities together.

Philippines

Kicking Out Transphobia (Kicking Out Transphobia Philippines)

27 February, Manila

The first edition of Kicking Out Transphobia in the Philippines, delivered as an LGBT-affirming football clinic hosted by the country’s first trans football player. The event unites trans and gender-nonconforming players, queer and cis allies, local LGBT+ groups, athletes and media, combining inclusive football with shared social moments to normalise trans participation in sport.

Romania

Asociația Club Sportiv Ocazional (Let Women Play)

22 February, Teren Agronomia, Bulevardul Expoziției 101, Sector 1, Bucharest

A friendly football day to empower LBT women to access sport in a safe and supportive environment. The event combines an open training session for beginners led by a certified, inclusion-aware coach with a small-sided tournament where amateur and intermediate players team up with professional footballers as captains, creating an affirming space for confidence-building and community connection.

South Sudan

GEPA South Sudan (Reverse Inclusion of LGBTQ+ Persons in Sports)

20–21 February, Upper Nile University Football Pitch, Munuki Block, Juba City

A football tournament held using a reverse inclusion model, with mixed teams made up of at least 50% queer players competing together. The event brings together players, local leaders and an audience of over 400 spectators, using match-day breaks and post-match discussions to raise awareness about growing anti-gender movements, promote wellbeing through sport, and strengthen collaboration for queer organising in South Sudanese football.

Sweden

Queerstion Media (Further Together – In Solidarity with Refugees)

28 February, Stockholm

A half-day, in-person community gathering bringing together refugees, families and allies to build intersectional solidarity in response to rising anti-trans, anti-migrant and racist narratives. The event centres trans and gender-diverse refugee voices through panel discussions, shared meals and cultural exchange, and includes the presentation of findings from Queerstion Media’s community-led research on refugee lived experiences.

Thailand

PlayOnside (Mingalarbar Mae Sot League Closing Ceremony – #TackleHomophobia)

22 February, Somdej Phra Naresuan the Great Stadium, Mae Sot

The closing ceremony and learning festival of the Mingalarbar Mae Sot League, engaging around 700–750 Burmese migrant and refugee children and young people from migrant learning centres along the Thai–Myanmar border. The event combines football with participatory learning through six themed activity stations covering issues such as homophobia, inclusion, leadership, emotional wellbeing, disability inclusion and substance abuse, using sport as a platform to promote human rights, diversity and stronger, more inclusive migrant communities.

Turkey

QLUB (Dönen Top – Open Mic and Community Football Match)

12 February, Ankara and 21 February, Istanbul

A two-part community project for women and LGBTI+ people combining storytelling and collective play. The initiative begins with an open mic event in Ankara on 12 February, where participants share personal experiences of football in a safe space, followed by a community football match in Istanbul on 21 February, bringing together queer teams and storytellers.

UK

Richmond Park FC (Rediscovering Our Game: The Lost Generation Project)

9 February, Richmond, SW London

A women-focused football event held during a league match, dedicated to those who missed the opportunity to play girls’ or women’s football earlier in life. Aimed particularly at women aged 35+, the project combines training activities, storytelling and the launch of a new inclusive training kit as part of the club’s “Football for Everyone” campaign, promoting access and participation in a welcoming football environment.

Waltham Forest Community Hub (Inclusive Community Football Session)

14 February, Waltham Forest

A free weekly community football session in Waltham Forest supporting underrepresented young people and those not in education, employment or training. Alongside regular football activities, the project delivers inclusion-focused workshops and develops new welcoming-space policies, engaging 12–18-year-olds in shaping inclusive sport environments.

QFL (Queer Football League Launch Tournament)

16 February, Brighton

A launch tournament, marking the start of a trans-led, mixed-gender queer football league in Brighton. Bringing together local teams, the event introduces a new competitive football space rooted in inclusion and community and presents a democratic alternative to existing systems that have excluded queer, trans, non-binary and intersex people from the game.

Mersey Marauders FC (Football v Homophobia – Friendly & Celebration)

16 February, Marine Travel Arena, Crosby

A celebratory friendly match hosted at Marine AFC’s ground, bringing together Mersey Marauders FC and partners Sefton Unison in support of the Football v Homophobia campaign. The event combines on-pitch action with supporter engagement, a shared post-match meal and short speeches highlighting the partnership and collective commitment to challenging homophobia in football.

Soho FC (Inclusive LGBTQIA+ 11-a-Side Match: Cardiff Dragons v Soho FC – Love Football, Be Yourself)

22 February, Cardiff

An inclusive 11-a-side football match in Cardiff bringing together Soho FC and Cardiff Dragons as part of the build-up to EuroGames 2027. The match creates a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ players and supporters, celebrating solidarity and the right to play and enjoy football.

Inclusive 11s CIC (Make It Happen! Building Community Capacity for Inclusive Football)

28 February, Bridge 5 Mill, Beswick Street, Manchester

A capacity-building event bringing together LGBTQ+ inclusive grassroots football teams, organisers and volunteers from across Manchester. The project combines a volunteer speed-meeting, an invite-only workshop to co-create shared guidance for trans- and gender-inclusive football, and a public film screening of We’ll Go Down In History, strengthening networks within volunteer-led inclusive football spaces.

USA

Kicking Out Transphobia (Game for All)

28 February, Austin

A grassroots soccer inclusion campaign working with amateur and community leagues to create safe, visible and enforceable inclusion for transgender and gender-nonconforming players. Launched with a mini tournament and community gathering bringing together inclusive teams, leagues and partners, the project combines match-day visibility actions, practical policy and language tools, partnerships with leagues and referees, and community-centred matches to embed lasting trans inclusion in grassroots football.