Rainbow lace time

Livingston wore Rainbow Laces in their clash with Kilmarnock last night (Wednesday) to show their support for Stonewall Scotland’s campaign to change attitudes in sport and make sure that LGBT people are welcomed and accepted at all levels of the game.

While the players wore rainbow laces, club captain Craig Halkett (pictured) also wore a rainbow captain’s armband to support the organisation’s cause with the Lions joining forces with other clubs throughout the SPFL.

Research shows that almost half of LGBT pepole think that public sporting events, such as football matches, aren’t a welcoming space for them.

Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, commented: “We are delighted that SPFL clubs are supporting our Rainbow Laces campaign, and by doing so, standing with LGBT football fans across Scotland. We want to see fans make similar commitments and become active allies to LGBT people by creating a welcoming environment and challenging abuse.

“Many LGBT people want to take part in football, either as players or fans, but abuse from a small minority makes many people feel unsafe. We look forward to working alongside the SPFL and clubs across Scotland to help make football everyone’s game.”

Livingston manager Gary Holt added:“It’s a very important cause that Livingston Football Club, and other teams throughout Scotland, need to support and we fully endorse the campaign.

“We want to raise awareness of the Rainbow Laces campaign and we hope that doing so has a genuine knock-on effect and something positive comes from it.

“Football clubs have the ability to put their weight behind it and help make the changes that need to be made going forward and we will help do that in any way we can.”