Rainbow Devils - support the trans community
Last week, the English and Scottish FA's announced bans on trans women playing associated women's football. Below is a statement released by Rainbow Devils, Man Utd’s official LGBTQ+ supporters club.
Barmy Article supports the trans community and remains an ally of Rainbow Devils. Click on the flag to link to the statement on Rainbow Devils’ website to learn more about the work the supporters’ club have done and continue to do. You can also sign up as a member, either as part of the LGBTQ+ community or as an ally, and support the campaign to make football inclusive for all.
Last week’s ruling makes it clear there is still so much work to be done.
Rainbow Devils are deeply disappointed in the decisions from the FA and SFA to ban trans women from women’s football in England and Scotland.
By the FA’s own figures, out of millions of women playing football, just 20 trans women were registered to play in the women’s game in England. All at amateur, grassroots levels. These players have played within the FA’s rules for their clubs for years, without issue.
We know as well as anyone the power of sport to build community, encourage tolerance and acceptance and improve people’s lives. To snatch that joy and fulfillment from so few for no tangible benefit is a profound cruelty to these players, their teammates and football at large.
We also worry about what effects the Supreme Court ruling and bans like this will have in wider society and what new acts of trans exclusion it will inspire.
Football is meant to unite, not divide. Rainbow Devils will continue its work to fight for our trans members and promote inclusion and acceptance for the entire LGBT+ community within the beautiful game.
Football is for all.