Football 4 Peace versus (v) Homophobia: A critical exploration of the links between theory, practice and intervention

In this chapter, we draw on our different past trajectories to explore the links between theories of sexualities and genders, and anti-homophobic, anti-transphobic and anti-biphobic intervention within UK University footballing contexts. Our critical reflections include over a decade of involvement with scholarship and campaigning surrounding gender and sexuality in football (Caudwell) and significant project development of the Football 4 Peace International reconciliation initiative (Spacey). We seek to plot the ways scholarship, especially theories of gender and sexualities, informs grassroots praxis. More specifically, we focus on the idea of making a difference when it comes to social divisions and inequalities vis-a-vis sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). During our discussions we draw from a range of research materials, including the voices of young people and students to demonstrate the ways participation in football can help, as well as hinder, anti-discriminatory policy and practice at the level of the locale.