This LGBTQ+ history month, we’re celebrating our own piece of LGBTQ+ history: the LGBeeTs.

Brentford's official LGBTQ+ fan group was founded eight years ago. Made up of LGBTQ+ Bees fans and allies, the group has been vital in supporting the club to create and maintain an inclusive environment for all. 

Visit the Gtech Community Stadium to see our photo exhibition celebrating the rich history of the LGBeeTs. Located between Entrances B and C outside the stadium, open from Saturday 17 February until the following weekend.

At the dawn of the 2016/17 season, the LGBeeTs announced themselves on social media. Co-founders, Gemma Teale and Lisa O’Brien, had spoken with the club through BIAS and the Football Supporters Association about the potential for a group dedicated to helping the club improve conditions for LGBTQ+ fans and staff. 

“I had always felt like I was the only gay fan at Griffin Park. Meeting the others and being part of the group changed all that.” - Bex, LGBeeTs member

Word quickly spread and initial meet-ups and events were attended by keen Bees fans, including a screening of Wonderkid, a film about a young gay footballer, hosted by Sky Sports and Brentford FC. 

At the start of the 2017/18 season, the first LGBeeTs flag appeared at Griffin Park. Bought with donations from the group and a contribution from BIAS, it was put up with support from the club's volunteer diversity working group. The flag, and the one now at Gtech Community Stadium, shows LGBTQ+ fans, staff or players in the ground that they are not alone and that they belong at Brentford. 

“Flags at football grounds are lovely little indications of what a broad church football fans are. When our flag went up it was a powerful moment of inclusion and visibility.” - Kate, LGBeeTs member 

In August 2018, the group marched with Pride in Football at the annual Pride in London event, joined by club mascot Buzz Bee.

After saying goodbye to Griffin Park during the 2019/20 season, the LGBeeTs were invited to flip the famous countdown board at the Rainbow Laces fixture against Luton and meet club legend Peter Gilham BEM. 

Like all Bees fans, Griffin Park was the LGBeeTs’ footballing home, but also where their journey in making the club they love a more inclusive place began. Flipping the countdown was a pivotal moment of visibility; perhaps it was no coincidence that the Bees ran riot to a 7-1 victory that day. 

Since the move to the Gtech, the LGBeeTs have always been present. Members attended the early matches when the schedule, and capacity, was disrupted by the pandemic. Some had to wait until the play-off semi-final to visit for the first time, while others joined a stadium tour ran exclusively for the group, where they saw the group flag hanging in the stadium for all to see. 

“With our pride flag sitting proudly to the left of the west stand alongside other flags from fans of all backgrounds, I instantly felt at home” - Bex 

Then on 29 May 2021, Brentford thwarted its play-off demons and secured Premier League status. Many of the group were some of the lucky few at Wembley that day, including co-founder Lisa, who that morning had told her partner that she was pregnant... 

“I had more than butterflies in my tummy that day! The calmness of the performance was surreal in contrast to the nervousness in the stands. A sober celebration is not how I planned it, but it was immense. A top, top memory.” - Lisa, LGBeeTs co-founder 

The LGBeeTs are now inviting members and allies of their community to take to the field. Since 2023, the group alongside the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and West London Queer Project have ran free ‘Football 101’ skills sessions for people of all genders and levels. 

“It’s great to see people enjoying football for the first time in their life after not having felt welcome for many years. We always love to see new faces at sessions!” - Ronald, LGBeeTs member 

Looking forward, the LGBeeTs are excited to run more events and meet ups to grow their membership, and continue to collaborate with the local LGBTQ+ community, breaking down barriers so that football can really be for everyone. 

If you’d like to join the LGBeeTs, or the skills sessions open to the LGBTQ+ community and allies, email ([email protected]) or get in touch with the group on social media (Twitter: @LGBT_Bees / Instagram: @lgbeet_brentford).