League of Ireland and SSE Airtricity have come together to support LGBT Ireland in advance of the upcoming Pride month. SSE Airtricity has dedicated its sponsorship branding to LGBT Ireland to promote the National LGBT+ helpline services available across the country.

The campaign was launched today - International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia - by League of Ireland players Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes (Shamrock Rovers) and Keeva Keenan (Shelbourne).

Speaking to Hot Press, both players expressed their support for the new campaign, and the importance of it in the game.

Cape Verde international Roberto Lopes said while dressing rooms were “more homophobic when I started playing, the mood has changed in football in the last few years.”

Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

“It’s important to show support for [LGBT Ireland]. I’ve witnessed discrimination on the pitch; It’s disgusting. There’s no place for it. We need to call people out on it. The more we speak about it, the better.”

Shelbourne and Ireland’s Keeva Keenan said that there was “awareness out there” for the campaign, as well as LGBT rights and acceptance in sport, especially in the women's game.

There are several high profile names in that sphere from the queer community who are "out", including the likes of Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby, Vivianne Miedema, and even Ireland captain and Arsenal star Katie McCabe.

This is however not the case in the men’s game, with no high profile footballers yet coming out as gay. Last year, Australian footballer Josh Cavalllo came out, becoming the first male footballer to do so.

“The women’s game is definitely more accepting”, said Keenan. “Where it might be a news article when a man comes out… it’s more normalised in women’s football to show up with your girlfriend.”

The branding takeover by LGBT Ireland will take place in the four following fixtures of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division, Men’s First Division and the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division this weekend:

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Fri 19 May – Shelbourne v St Patricks Athletics

SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Fri 19 May – Kerry v Bray Wanderers

SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division
Sat 20 May – Bohemians v Athlone Town
Sat 20 May – Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne

Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Every club in the SSE Airtricity league will also be provided with rainbow corner flags and captains’ armbands to support the takeover and Pride in June. Given the controversy that arose at last November’s World Cup Finals in Qatar, The League of Ireland and SSE Airtricity have made their stance clear on inclusion for all in football and in sport.

Mark Scanlon, Director at the League of Ireland, said: “We are proud to be a part of this fantastic initiative which will promote our clear and concrete message that football should be inclusive for all.

“Together with support from SSE Airtricity, our Ambassadors and our Clubs we will continue to make League of Ireland football a welcoming environment and create vital awareness for LGBT Ireland’s incredibly important helpline service.”

LGBT Ireland is a national support service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people as well as their families and friends. The organisation presents a comprehensive range of services which provide support and information on issues relating to sexuality and gender identity for every member of the community.

Paula Fagan, CEO at LGBT Ireland, said: "LGBT Ireland is proud to be supported by SSE Airtricity and the League of Ireland in this SSE Airtricity League of Ireland takeover. As we approach Pride month, let's make sport everyone's game and send a clear message that no matter who you support, we're all on the same team."

David Manning, Director Customer Marketing and Communications at SSE Airtricity, said: “[LGBT Ireland] are a volunteer organisation that provide invaluable assistance for people across Ireland.. We really hope that this weekend will help raise awareness for the vital work that LGBT Ireland do and we’re encouraging every club to get behind the campaign too.”

Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

LGBT Ireland provides vital support to those who need it most. The National LGBT+ Helpline is run through a network of trained volunteers based in six local helplines across the country, which operate 30 hours a week, seven days a week. You can contact the LGBT Helpline by freephone 1800 929 539. For more information click here.