Leeds set to fly the rainbow flag
Defending Super League Champions and 2012 World Club Challenge winners Leeds Rhinos are set to fly the flag for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGB & T) inclusion in sport by dedicating their home fixture against Widnes Vikings on Friday August 10 to celebrating LGB & T inclusion within sport.
The Rhinos, one of the most successful sporting teams of the 21st century, are continuing to break the mould and challenge stereotypes within sport and are taking over from Sheffield Eagles as Rugby League’s LGB & T champions by dedicating the game and all match-day activity to LGB & T equality, reinforcing Rugby League’s unique position as a leading force in the celebration of LGB & T involvement.
The Rhinos will be joined by stars from Yorkshire’s successful television soap Emmerdale who in recent years have also tackled homophobia and gay equality in some of their most powerful storylines.
There will be a full programme of celebratory initiatives which will also see the stars of Emmerdale on the pitch at half-time while fans will have the chance to win some ‘money-can’t-buy’ prizes as part of a special match day competition.
A one-off commissioned Leeds Rhinos LGB & T polo shirt will also be available to purchase through the Leeds Rhinos club shop and online at www.therhinos.co.uk/store, the final design of which was created by a collection of school children from Hungerford Primary School in London who won a nationwide competition launched in June. This limited edition polo shirt has been created to promote Stonewall as part of Leeds Rhinos celebration for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGB & T) community. The design was selected for its simplicity and originality in representing the LGB&T inclusion message. The finished product features a rugby ball in rainbow colours found within the inspiration tag line “Be true to who you are” all on the back of the shirt.
Stonewall is a charity which is a member of the Equality and Diversity Forum, a network of national organisations committed to progress on age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation issues (Charity Registration Number 1101255).
The Stonewall logo will also feature on the Rhinos shirt for Friday night’s game against Widnes Vikings.
Sizes available range from XS-4XL and costs only £30. As these are limited edition it can take up to 4 weeks from the date ordered to be dispatched.
Tickets for the LGB & T celebratory game between Leeds Rhinos and Widnes Vikings cost £20 for adults and can be purchased by calling 0871 423 1315.
Commenting on the initiative Leeds Rhinos and England international Shaun Lunt said, “Rugby League has always been an inclusive game for all parts of the community. It is great that the RFL can lead the way with an initiative like this and we are happy here at the Rhinos to help promote that message.