Come on 68, when you posted this you knew precisely what you were doing.
My initial response to the thread was-
Pulling those two sentences apart-
I would wish football to be inclusive but I understood it is unlikely to happen. The reason it is unlikely to happen is because there are racist out there, there are homophobes out there, there are misogynists out there. We can never, as a society, make all these individuals understand that they are left behind in an age past. If they do not wish to be part of a modern society fine, but let those that do do so.
There is some well thought out responses on this thread to the EFL’s announcement that they were going to use rainbow coloured balls. Some not so, those being ill thought out, perhaps alcohol related or perhaps, reading between the lines, the poster holds views that they are not comfortable to put into writing on a public forum.
In essence, I care not one iota what colour football is used and I care not one iota who I sit next to at a football match as I and my family want to be inclusive of the club we support and I want the people sat by me to feel the same.
I am sure many men had similar thoughts when Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffragette movement fought for women’s rights. Who’d have thought that they would have had to do so.
I totally agree with your point in regard to the knee bending. The point of it has been lost. I dislike it and have never been in favour of it. For me it has done more to divide than to do otherwise. It was and remains, in my humble opinion, an ill thought out action and I wish our players would stop doing it. However, it is a matter for each individual and I respect that.
A sad reflection perhaps on the past which still echos in todays society. Should we give up trying to encourage those with these damaging mindsets to desist in their abhorrent behavior, which is unacceptable in todays society. I hope we don’t.
I am unsure what sentiments Al trying to putting over. ‘Players walking out in life jackets in support of those coming in on dinghies.’ What does that have to do with inclusion?
Al’s opinion on what should be done with those poor unfortunates is well documented on here. His ideal, to do what the Greeks have done, and push them back out to sea to certain death, is not acceptable or humane.
Those that may be offended by a female referee wearing shorts, I suspect, would offended by the footballing authorities allowing women to officiate full stop. Should we treat a female referee different to their male counterparts. Should we make them wear joggers perhaps? No.
And why use the term ‘lovely legs’, when making reference to a female referee.
Any argument he might have had is watered down, possibly lost altogether by the use of those words in that first sentence!
I agree with his last sentence, in which he agreed with the last sentence of my first post.
Men and women do have differences Phil. I think we”d all agree on that. But they should all be treated as equal, no matter what ***ual orientation they are. That said it is down to Government along with legislators, sporting and other organisations to safeguard against competition between people who have elected to change gender from birth, in that they are unable to compete in competition against others in which their gender would provide them with a distinct advantage. (This of course would become an issue to those who will want to gain an advantage by whatever means.)
Your point, where you indicate there is division amongst the LGBQ+ community is likely correct. That division is understandable for the reasons I have stated above. No community is without division and that is the whole point of discussion, understanding and working to bring together the aspects that divide.
Boingy, does this mean we should stop trying to lessen bad behaviors. Surely education is better than allowing unacceptable behavior to become the norm. It does appear there is an age demographic in play on this site.
Clubs have been fined for decades due to the behavior of their fans. I recall posters from here indicating they were involved in fighting with opposing fans in their younger years but now, I imagine, they would condemn such behavior. Age does play a part in people’s thinking. Perhaps there is a thinking if the clubs are punished then they would make more effort to deal firmly with those responsible.
Good post 123.
That’s where I started.
We can all be educated. Take seatbelts for example. I read about the furore when the legislation came in. People needed to be educated that it was simply the sensible thing to do. We all do it now without a thought as soon as we get into a vehicle.
Smoking, how many smokers have stopped because they were unable to smoke in pubs and restaurants. Millions I guess. I was one, I hated the thought of not going to the pub or have a meal out and light up. I wouldn’t want to be in a pub or restaurant full of smoke now. now. I wouldn’t touch a cigarette. I have been educated, I accept my thinking back along was wrong.
Think of all the principles we take for granted today that generations before had to fight tooth and nail for.
Most understand you will not educate all, particularly those with a hatred towards different nationalities, those that are offended by another’s ethnicity, those that are offended by women in power or women in general, those that are offended by another’s religion or religion in general.
If you are offended by a rainbow football then give football grounds a miss while they are in use. If your not, enjoy the game and welcome all those around you who are there to do the same.
I shall now retreat to my underground shelter.