Proud Supporters: Celebrating Pride 2024

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Proud Supporters: Celebrating Pride 2024

Celebrate our LGBTQ+ inclusive fan group, the LGBeeTs, by taking a look at their favourite milestones and memories!

Pride is a month-long social movement that celebrates self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of the LGBTQ+ community and their achievements. This Pride, we are celebrating our LGBTQ+ inclusive fan group, the LGBeeTs.

The LGBeeTs were founded 8 years ago and welcomes LGBTQ+ Bees fans and allies. In February, we presented a photo-exhibition of the group's forming, history, and favourite Brentford moments. Below is their journey, from launching with a tweet in 2016 to becoming the mighty group they are today.

2016 - Formation

It all started with a tweet - well almost - at the start of the 2016/17 season a new group for Brentford fans announced themselves on social media...The co-founders had been in touch with the club for a few years around the potential for a group, and to help improve experiences for LGBTQ+ fans and staff, and in August we went for it.

"I remember my first feeling of seeing the group launch was surprise, as 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 of that." - Bex

2017 - Flag

The group's first flag appeared at the start of the 2017/18 season. 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, it was a real step forward.

"I like the flags at football grounds - they are lovely little indications of what a broad church football fans are. They tell us that all these different folks belong here, supporting Brentford. So when our flag went up it was a powerful moment of inclusion and visibility." - Kate

2018 - Pride

In August 2018 the group marched at London Pride.

This was a huge step for us and made even more special because Buzz Bee joined us on the march.

"A blazing hot day in London and the LGBeeTs marched out to show our colours.

The atmosphere was amazing... it felt like we were ambassadors for a side of football not always seen." - Olly

2019 - Griffin Park Farewell

In the 2019/2020, we all prepared to say Farewell to Griffin Park. For some of us this had been our footballing home for decades, so as for so many others, the emotion was building with every match. We were absolutely thrilled to be invited to turn over the countdown board at half time at our Rainbow Laces fixture against Luton.

"It was an honour to be asked as a group to do the Farewell to Griffin Park countdown at the Rainbow Laces fixture. Walking pitchside at half-time with my son, changing the number from 15 to 14, chatting to the legend that is Peter Gilham and cheering on a memorable 7-1 victory. Unforgettable." - Chris

2020 - Move to the Gtech

The move to the Gtech Community Stadium wasn't how any of us would have wanted it to be due to the pandemic. With only a select few able to get to the earliest matches, and some having to wait till later in the season, our various 'firsts', were still very memorable.

"Stepping into the new stadium for the first time was a mix of excitement and sadness, but it was time to look to a new era. I instantly felt at home with our Pride flag sitting proudly to the left of the West Stand and other flags, making sure fans from all backgrounds feel welcome at the Gtech." - Bex

2021 - Promotion

There was no bigger day for any Bees fan than 29 May 2021, when the team, at the tenth attempt, finally won a play-off. This historic match saw them into the Premier League! Many of the group are long standing season ticket holders and so were some of the lucky few that could be there in person on that historic day...

"On promotion day I had more than butterflies in my tummy - that morning me and my partner found out I was pregnant! It was such a surreal day, with the utter calmness on-pitch contrasting with the nervousness in the stands from the ghosts of play-offs past. A sober celebration is not how I planned it, but it was immense. A top, top memory." - Lisa

2023 - LGBTQ+ Skill Sessions

2023 saw the group branch out with more collaborations. We worked closely with the club, the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and local community group West London Queer Project to put on a series of free 'Football 101' skills session for LGBTQ+ people and allies of all genders and abilities. These have been really successful and have brought local people back to football who may have not played since school, and been put off by thinking football wasn't for them.

"It is great to see people enjoying football, sometimes for the first time in their life after not having felt welcome for many years, something I know myself too well. The collaboration with WLQP really helps with this. It is great to see new faces at sessions, and even better when you can teach them that football is indeed better than rugby!" - Ronald

2024 and looking forward...

It's an exciting time for the group right now and looking forward we are excited to grow our membership and continue our close collaboration with the local LGBTQ+ community, bringing more people into football and breaking down barriers, so that football can really be for everyone.

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