Joey Barton is the latest QPR player to put their weight behind an international campaign to combat homophobia.
The initiative, entitled ‘Football v Homophobia’ (FvH) aims to unite fans, players, communities, grassroots teams, professional clubs and the Football Authorities in opposing homophobia and prejudice against LGB&T (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) people in football.
Barton is leading the R’s commitment to the cause and told the club's website: “It shouldn’t even be an issue in this day and age. It’s completely irrelevant what anybody’s sexual orientation is. People should be judged purely on what they represent as a human being. If they are good at what they do, they’re good at what they do.
“What sexual orientation they are isn’t anybody’s business but their own. As long as someone is a good person and treats people fairly, that’s all they should be judged on.
“The onus is on football, as the number one sport in society, to set the tone. We can be better at it, we can be better at tackling issues, but if we tackle them correctly it can lead to a lot of enlightenment and lead to people’s attitudes changing."
FvH is endorsed and supported by The Football Association, Premier League, Football League, League Managers Association and Kick It Out.
FvH enables people to take action against prejudice and discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity in football, and to celebrate and welcome diversity in the game. This culminates in an international show of support to raise awareness of the issue and to showcase new and existing work.
Barton added: “Hopefully campaigns like this, and campaigns that have gone before – and hopefully campaigns that will come in the future – will see people’s sexuality become less of an issue.
“Wouldn’t it be great if, one day, campaigns like this weren’t even necessary? Hopefully that day will come.
“Football is certainly becoming a lot more tolerant. I believe it still has a long way to go but it is moving in the right direction. What’s important is that people keep nudging it along.”
Barton and company will be showing their support at tonight’s (Tuesday's) Championship clash with Wigan Athletic, following in the footsteps of QPR Ladies, who celebrated FvH by wearing t-shirts prior to the recent South East Women’s Combination League meeting with Norwich City at Uxbridge FC.
