Welcome to Rainbow Laces – a brilliant way to show your support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport. 

The campaign is organised by Stonewall and has come so far, but there is still work to do. It’s time to Lace Up once again and make sport safer for all. 

Since Rainbow Laces kicked off in 2013, over a million people have laced up in support of LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, fitness and physical activity. But this must-win game isn’t over yet.

Stonewall's vision today is the same as it was at the start; a world where LGBTQ+ people feel welcome and safe to watch and participate in sport and fitness - at all levels.

Here at Nottinghamshire FA, we are proud to support this campaign and Stonewall's vision.

Lace up and make sport safer for all

As we celebrate another year of Rainbow Laces, we’re not dropping the ball when it comes to ensuring everyone feels safe and welcome in sport. 

Sport should be safe and welcoming for everyone. By lacing up, you’re sending a powerful message: your club is a safe place where everyone can be themselves and that you actively support LGBTQ+ inclusion. 

That’s why the key message this year is: Lace up and make sport safer for all. 

Show your commitment to a safer, more inclusive sporting world by wearing your Rainbow Laces and creating safe spaces where everyone can be themselves.

As part of this year's Rainbow Laces campaign, we spoke to Martin Hyland, Founder of Proud Forest - The official Nottingham Forest LGBTQ+ Supporters' Club. Martin said "Proud Forest is looking forward to celebrating our 1st birthday during this year's Rainbow Laces campaign. It's been a great year full of growth, pride, and community. We now have over 100 members uniting LGBTQ+ Forest fans from all across the UK as well as Europe, the US and Canada. We have a vibrant mix of identities, each bringing a unique voice to our group. A quarter of our members are Allies, individuals who might not identify as LGBTQ+ themselves but wholeheartedly support our cause and stand with us as champions of inclusion and equality.

This group isn’t just about showing up to matches and waving a flag; it’s a community that actively works to create a welcoming environment within the sport we all love. Through the support of Nottingham Forest Football Club, our visibility and impact have grown exponentially. One of the highlights this year was our collaboration with the club to celebrate Nottinghamshire Pride in July. It was a powerful moment to see Forest so openly and proudly stand alongside us, sending a message that inclusivity is something to be embraced and celebrated, on and off the pitch.

Looking ahead, we’re inspired to keep pushing forward. There’s always more work to be done, but each small victory reminds us of why we do this. For every fan who feels a little more accepted, a little less alone, and for every match day where everyone feels safe to be themselves, we’re reminded of the power of community."

You can find our more about Proud Forest via the video above. We look forward to working with Martin and the group going forward as part of our work to make football inclusive across the county. We have a limited number of Rainbow Laces available for local clubs here in Nottinghamshire to support the campaign. As part of this years campaign, we want to here from you. Please complete the form below to complete our questionnaire and request your Rainbow Laces.

REQUEST YOUR RAINBOW LACES HERE