For the third year running Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust produced a limited edition Dulwich Hamlet Rainbow scarf to celebrate LGBT+ History Month. Alongside the scarves, we had on sale beanies and trucker caps that feature the club crest in the colours of the LGBT+ Rainbow Flag. A limited number of these rainbow scarves and headwear can now be purchased on the Trust run club shop wwwdhfcshop.co.uk.
A percentage of the profits, from the sale of the scarves, has been donated to two LGBT+ charity organisations Football v Homophobia and AKT (Albert Kennedy Trust).
All these items went on sale when Chelmsford City visited Champion Hill at the beginning of February. As a guest of the Trust, the game was attended by Brian Stokes from Football V Homophobia and at HT he accepted a “giant” cheque for £600 for this organisation, which was the Trust’s donation from the sale of the rainbow scarves.
Football V Homophobia was originally conceived and launched by the Justin Campaign in 2010 to raise awareness of homophobia that was still prevalent in both grassroots and professional football. The Justin Campaign group was founded in 2008 ten years after Justin Fashanu’s tragic suicide in 1998. Last month Justin was honoured by being inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame.
The Trust and football club has been a big supporter Football V Homophobia for many years and it was great to meet Brian on the day.
At the women’s team home fixture on 9 February, we were due to welcome representatives from AKT, but sadly, this match was postponed due to bad weather.
AKT formed in Manchester in 1989 to offer support to LGBT+ young people facing homelessness or living in a hostile environment. It now has additional offices in London and Newcastle that also offers support in finding safe homes in addition to support with things like employment, education and training.
We hope to catch up with AKT soon as they have been invited to the re-scheduled fixture later in the year.
To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day (8 March), Dulwich Hamlet will be hosting a Girls United FC tournament on Saturday 7 March at Alleyne School. The five-aside event takes place between 13:00 – 17:00 and further information on how you can take part can be found on the club’s official website www.dulwichhamlet.co.uk