Joey Barton's Stonewall and Paddy Power Rainbow Laces
Joey Barton Laces Up For Charity
QPR midfielder kicks off campaign in support of gay footballers.
Often outspoken QPR midfielder Joey Barton has helped launch a campaign by gay rights charity Stonewall which is also backedby bookmakers Paddy Power. Sets of rainbow coloured laces have been distributed to every footballer across all 134 professional clubs in the UK. Barton was the first to show his support taking to his twitter account on Sunday night.
Like Barton, each player is asked being to wear the special laces in their club fixtures on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September. The campaign s simple message of Right Behind Gay Footballers is designed to kick start a change in attitudes, showing support for gay players in English football.
 |
 |
Paddy Power and Stonewall are asking fans and the public to follow Barton's lead and back the campaign by taking to social media and using the hashtag #RBGF during the week and in the build-up to the weekend fixtures.
Stonewall Deputy Chief Executive Laura Doughty said: It s time for football clubs and players to step up and make a visible stand against homophobia in our national game. That s why we re working with Paddy Power on this fun and simple campaign. By wearing rainbow laces players will send a message of support to gay players and can begin to drag football in to the 21st century. 
If you want to show your support for gay footballers then join us and the rest of footballing community by using #RBGF across your social media activities.
