NEW: Kick It Out have already received a record number of reports of homophobia in 2025/26, with several months of the football season remaining. The release of the discrimination data coincides with the launch of a new reporting relationship with Football v Homophobia. 1/2

Football’s coming homo 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

⛷️ The magical moguls star that is Makayla Gerken Schofield talks to me for @outsports.com as she begins her Winter #Olympics challenge today… 🗣️ “If being visible can help others in any way, then I am all for it. Love wins - always.” #TeamGB #TeamLGBTQ #MilanoCortina2026 @sportsmedialgbt.com

👏 Please be upstanding for your FvH Professional Game Award winners 2026! Thank you to the EFL for again sponsoring this category at the FvH Awards 🥇 Brentford FC (@brentfordfc.com) 🥈 QPR FC (@qpr.co.uk) 🥉 Brighton and Hove Albion FC (@officialbha.bsky.social) 1/2

Touching and timely @newyorker.com documentary will melt your heart. 👇 youtu.be/3Qw7gImGn8U #lgbt #gaygames #olympics @valenciagg2026.bsky.social @sportsmedialgbt.com

🏆 The Football v Homophobia Awards 2026 gala in London was a truly special night, with #LGBTQfootball legends Joanie Evans and Aslie Pitter honoured with FvH Lifetime Achievement Awards, while Brentford FC, Proud Forest and Leftfooters FC were among the category winners. Full recap! 🩷⚫️ #FvH2026

🩷🩷🩷 Our hearts are full of queer joy after an extra-special edition of the FvH Awards 🏆 Congrats to all who were recognised on the night, including those we honoured in our big reveal as two FvH Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to #LGBTQfootball legends, Joanie Evans and Aslie Pitter 1/2

🌟 It’s FvH Awards Night, and we’re excited to announce the Premier League as headline sponsors for tonight’s gala event in London 🏆 The PL is also category sponsor for the FvH Community Trust or Foundation Award, which recognises achievements in LGBTQ football inclusion by pro club charities 1/2

NEW: When a man at a Leeds game with his young son started shouting anti-gay slurs, he was challenged by 2 men - fellow fans who set up the club’s LGBTQ supporters group. Andrew of @marchingout.bsky.social discusses a shocking incident and the “disappointing” response. For @outsports.com #FvH2026

🗣️ “Everyone involved in football must be on guard and recognise how anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination is impacting the game, while those in positions of responsibility should step up and take a visible and practical stand against it” - @louenglefield.bsky.social Read on @scenemag.co.uk 🩷⚫️ #FvH2026 #LGBTQ

It's #LGBTHistoryMonth and Forest on Friday is also #LUFCs designated 'Premier League With Pride' fixture - and you will see us there! Check out this featuring our Wiggy, for why we still need these events. 🏳️‍🌈⚽️🏳️‍⚧️ sportsmedialgbt.com/football-v-h... @footballvhomophobia.com @sportsmedialgbt.com

🚨 ALERT! The entry window for the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards must close on Wednesday, 4 February, at 11.59pm ⏳ Time is running out… but don’t panic, you still have the chance to submit for one or more of the categories on offer. Don’t miss your chance to shine! 1/2

A column about the fiasco that was the Fife Flyers’ Pride Night, and the risks of sports teams going big on “celebration” without a pre-agreed consensus from players. Because letting one homophobe ruin Pride for everyone else is cowardice. For @outsports.com @sportsmedialgbt.com #hockey #LGBTQ

Well this is all particularly grim to read SRU targeted by protests over ‘distressing’ homophobic rugby abuse case www.thetimes.com/article/0d06...

🎧 Listen to LGBTQ football fans from Chelsea Pride and Marching Out Together as we kick off the #FvH2026 Month of Action on the FvH Podcast 🏳️‍🌈⚽️🏳️‍⚧️ Tracy and Wiggy talk about the Premier League’s new ‘With Pride’ initiative, which starts Friday @chelseapride.bsky.social @marchingout.bsky.social

🩷⚫️ It’s the annual Football V Homophobia Month of Action - to mark #FvH2026, we have a new FvH Podcast episode with #LGBTQ fan groups Chelsea Pride and Marching Out Together 🎧 Tracy and Wiggy discuss the impact of abuse and look ahead to the PL ‘With Pride’ @footballvhomophobia.com 1/2

Fife Flyers said the late decision “allows us to support Pride Night while also respecting the diversity of backgrounds and personal beliefs within our playing group.” The jerseys incorporate only the six traditional Pride rainbow flag colours and were unveiled five days ago. #EIHL #LGBTQ #hockey

📣 We’re counting down to the FvH Awards 2026 in London on Friday 6 February - and here’s your host… she’s always for ‘keeps, and a truly class act, it’s Chloe Morgan! 🩷⚫️ The awards celebrate #LGBTQfootball achievements across the game 🥂 We’re looking forward to a lush night… can’t wait! #FvH2026

For most, Heated Rivalry is a raunchy, entertaining show to be watched then gossiped about. But for Jesse Kortuem, the show hit a lot deeper - and inspired him to make a life-changing decision. I spoke to him for BBC Sport to hear his story. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/ice-ho...

There will be at least 41 publicly out gay, lesbian, bi and queer athletes competing at the 2026 Milan Winter #Olympics starting Feb. 6, a record for the Winter Games. At the time of writing, at least 13 countries are represented on #TeamLGBTQ at #MilanoCortina2026. #LGBTQ #Outsports

🩷 “The Beast” is undefeated - pro boxer Oscar Bonifacino is now targeting a national title. I spoke to the inspirational Uruguayan, who came out as gay after his first pro fight last year, about winning, and wearing pink. For @outsports.com #boxing #LGBTQ #sports 🥊🇺🇾🏳️‍🌈 @sportsmedialgbt.com

Tips, lessons and ideas for how you can make our history better known to drown out pernicious lies www.wearequeeraf.com/new-free-res...

‘Data shows 1 in 5 Britons has experienced discrimination or harassment in a pub, increasing to 3 in 5 among disabled people and the #LGBTQ community. Ethnic minorities are more likely than other minorities to say they’ve experienced this behaviour on matchdays.’ 👉 www.kickitout.org/news-media/k...

NEW: After England’s official #LGBTQ fans group said it would not attend the #FIFAWorldCup due to safety concerns, QFF - the network of German and Swiss LGBTQ fans - says it’s also advising its members not to travel. However, France’s group will go. For @outsports.com @sportsmedialgbt.com

A decade ago, a superb small-budget film about a gay footballer called 'WONDERKID' (dir. Rhys Chapman) got the game talking, and was even shown on Sky Sports. Now #HeatedRivalry has shown what can be achieved when #LGBTQ stories in sports get support. Thanks @marcuswratten.bsky.social for covering.

To mark the 50th anniversary next month of John Curry winning the Olympics gold medal for in the men’s figure skating at Innsbruck 1976, I have written a piece for the @theobserveruk.bsky.social on how he revolutionised his sport observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

🇮🇪 ‘ #HeatedRivalry isn’t just a TV show to me’ – Irish athletes Jack Woolley and Kevin Penrose say programme strikes a chord with its depictions of homophobia and the fear of coming out in sport and its message of hope ✍️ Sheila Flynn, @irishindosport.bsky.social #LGBTQ #Ireland #sports

🚨 ONE WEEK TO GO until the annual Football v Homophobia Month of Action kicks off, and this year’s FvH Champions are assembling… ⚽️ From Premier League clubs to grassroots leagues, from fan groups to community foundations, everyone is welcome to show their support 🩷⚫️ 1/2

Some personal news: I’ve joined @us.theguardian.com as a soccer correspondent! Thrilled to join a newsroom I’ve long admired from afar. Still proudly based in Saint Paul, MN. Still covering the sport from all angles, on-field and off. Truly a dream job: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Super excited to share the cover of my children’s book Jacob’s Transition Goals! Jacob’s Transition Goals is about an 8 year old transgender boy who starts playing football for his local boys team. It’s a joyful story that I wish I’d been able to read when I was a trans kid. Out April 21st! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

NEW: Premier League to launch new LGBTQ initiative in Feb to replace Rainbow Laces “With Pride” to ask less of individual players - no rainbow armbands - & PL exploring Pride-themed football (logic being players can’t refuse to use a ball) www.nytimes.com/athletic/698... l

🏒🌈 Great to see @switchboard.bsky.social and the Elite Ice Hockey League teaming up again for the annual Pride Games 🙌 #EIHL #LGBTQ #hockey

NEW: The ‘Proud Pledge’ has been introduced to the relaunched #RainbowLaces campaign, with Stonewall inviting sports clubs and teams, fitness spaces and organisations everywhere to sign up and showcase their LGBTQ+-inclusive values. #LGBTQsports @stonewalluk.bsky.social @pridesports.bsky.social

FIFA has described the 2026 World Cup as “the most inclusive event in football history”. But #LGBTQ people say otherwise - and even FIFA’s Chief Football Officer, Jill Ellis, is now publicly highlighting “anti-gay legislation” in the U.S. For @outsports.com @sportsmedialgbt.com #FIFAWorldCup

FvH notes the decision of an independent regulatory commission to fine Lincoln City £16,000 and extend an existing Action Plan to the end of the 2026/27 season, following an FA charge related to homophobic chanting during the Imps’ Carabao Cup tie at home to Chelsea in September 2025. 1/2

🩷⚫️ The FvH Awards is always a night to remember… Celebrate with VIPs and our wider LGBTQ football community in central London on Friday 6 February, 2026 🏳️‍🌈⚽️🏳️‍⚧️ 🎟️ Tickets are on general sale 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/football-v... #FvH2026 @prideinfootball.bsky.social @sportsmedialgbt.com

🏆 The FWA Student Football Writer Awards return, with £1,000 cash prizes on offer for three winners, including in the Unheard Voices category which welcomes and includes #LGBTQ people. Entrants need to be in full-time tertiary education. Deadline - 24 April 2026. @fwaofficial.bsky.social

NEW: Greg Slade, Paralympics silver medalist, is sharing his truth as a gay man in elite wheelchair tennis. Talking to me for @outsports.com as he prepares for the #AusOpen, he discusses #comingout publicly, #LGBTQ representation in sports, and his support for Pride in Tennis. @sportsmedialgbt.com

NEW: Three Lions Pride, the official England #LGBTQ fans group, says it won’t attend the #FIFAWorldCup due to the “dangerous rollback of human rights” in the U.S. 3LP has around 350 members, many of whom regularly attend games home and away. @3lionspride.bsky.social @prideinfootball.bsky.social

Wrote this in 2017 about the Russia 2018 World Cup and reposted it four years later about Qatar. In 2026, only the names have changed.* Ultimately, nothing makes a difference, but you'll at least know you weren't part of it. theuglygame.wordpress.com/2017/12/01/w...

No one should have to choose: Heated Rivalry inspires LGBTQ+ players to reclaim hockey in Vancouver vancouversun.com/news/heated-...

Not to be gold for Fear and Gibson - but they deserve credit for recovering from an early mistake to win European bronze. If they bring their flawless best to Milan, an Olympic medal remains a definite possibility. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articl...

Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron are going to be a tough act to beat - but in this form, Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson have a real shot of GB's first European figure skating gold in 32 years. Report from a thrilled arena in Sheffield: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articl...

🗣️ Campbell Harrison: "A piece of advice I would give to young [queer] people is - surrounding yourself with other queer people is so important. I never realised what was missing in my life until I had other queer friends and that sense of camaraderie.” ✍️ Kate O’Halloran, ABC Sport #climbing #LGBTQ

We are hosting our latest talent ID day on March 18 to help identify the next generation of sports journalists. If that’s you, you’re 18+ & UK-based: send us 200 words on your experience & why you want to take part - plus your contact details. 📧 [email protected] Deadline: January 27, 5pm

NEW: I’ve been looking at how gay and bi men in elite sports have been reacting to #HeatedRivalry - a dollop of enthusiasm, a pinch of emotional pain, and some hot sauce… For @outsports.com #LGBTQ @sportsmedialgbt.com

Bravo Borja Iglesias, who by very publicly calling out gay slurs, has prompted LaLiga’s X account to use the hashtag #LALIGAVSHOMOFOBIA for the first time. A handful of Spanish men’s football players, including Alberto Lejarraga who has a husband 🏳️‍🌈, are taking a stand. 👏 For @outsports.com

If there's any outlet that wants to pay a queer journalist to write about what's happened in Aus football in the last 24-48 hours from a queer persons perspective/some sort of op-ed/opinion piece, I'm available and happy to write something for a reasonable rate. Please feel free to reach out via DM.

NEW: A column for @outsports.com about Josh Cavallo’s Instagram post, the background and timing, and why the politics of prejudice in men’s pro sports will always mean that coming out as gay or bi is an act of courage for an athlete. #LGBTQ #FvH2026 @sportsmedialgbt.com

Sports media folks don’t play that big a role in #HeatedRivalry season 1, though it sounds as if journalists will feature more in season 2. So for now, a good reason to listen and see what might be learned from the show.