Premier League Ends Stonewall Partnership Launches Own LGBTQ Campaign

The Premier League has ended its partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, concluding its involvement with the Rainbow Laces campaign that began in 2017 to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in football. Instead, the league plans to launch its own LGBTQ+ inclusion campaign aligned with LGBTQ+ History Month in February, reflecting a strategic shift supported by consultations with clubs and fan groups. While the Premier League remains committed to fighting discrimination with existing educational resources and community programs, support for Rainbow Laces had waned in recent years, highlighted by some players declining to wear rainbow armbands due to personal beliefs. The Football Association is also moving away from Pride rainbow flag symbolism, focusing on grassroots soccer and new regulations affecting transgender players. These changes coincide with reports of increased homophobic incidents at Premier League matches, according to data from the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out. Additionally, Premier League players have agreed to continue taking the knee twice during the 2025/26 season as part of the 'No Room for Racism' campaign, despite the England women's team deciding to stop this practice.