LGBT Football Fans: Authenticity, Belonging and Visibility

While recent years have seen the emergence of a significant body of research on LGBT inclusion in sport, little is known about LGBT fans. This book provides the first in-depth examination of LGBT football fans’ experiences and sense of place in the contemporary English game.

Drawing on almost 100 semi-structured interviews with LGBT fans, it explores several important findings, including how these fans represent ’authentic’ notions of fandom, the emergence of LGBT Fan Groups, improved stadium environment for LGBT fans, LGBT-themed chanting and the role of governing bodies and professional football clubs. The research presented in this book extends current theorising of under-represented groups of sports fans.

This is fascinating and important reading for those with an interest in the sociology of sport, sports fandom, gender and sexuality.

Rory Magrath is Associate Professor of Sociology at Solent University, Southampton, UK.