ClubRed Together: Five years of championing equality, diversity and inclusion

Launched in 2020, Red Together is at the heart of everything that we do as a club to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. It is also a key part of The Red Way, the club’s sustainability strategy, helping to create a better future for our people, planet and communities.

To celebrate five years of Red Together, we look back at some of the incredible initiatives and activities that have taken place to celebrate our diverse fanbase.

So far this season we have celebrated:

Pride in Liverpool

For the 12th consecutive year, the Reds took part in the Pride in Liverpool march, demonstrating unwavering solidarity with the LGBT+ community. As the first Premier League club to participate in a Pride march back in 2012, LFC remains a leader in championing inclusivity.

LFC Foundation also hosted its annual Pride tournament at the Academy in Kirkby, welcoming 18 teams to take part in a celebration of football, inclusion and representation.

The club expanded its Pride retail collection this year, introducing new items such as reusable bags, bracelets and flags. A percentage of proceeds from this collection will support local LGBT+ charities, furthering our commitment to making a difference in our community.

Earlier this year, the club donated £15,000 from sales of its Pride retail range over the last three years to The Michael Causer Foundation and The Young Person’s Advisory Service (YPAS), supporting vital LGBT+ community initiatives across the Liverpool City Region.

Black History Month

As part of our Black History Month celebrations this season, Cody Gakpo sat down to discuss the significance of equal opportunities in football and beyond. Reflecting on his personal inspirations, he highlighted Dutch legends Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit as role models on the pitch, while expressing deep admiration for historical icons Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr.

Gakpo also shared his experience of visiting his father’s birthplace, Togo, to reconnect with his heritage. “Connecting to yourself, to your family from the other side, it was a great experience, and I think I learned a lot from them as well – how they look at life, how they do certain things” he said.

LFC also hosted a staff event featuring Irene Afful, the first black female inspector for Merseyside Police, while LFC Foundation collaborated with Aston Villa for an U14s tournament in Birmingham and facilitated a Black History Month art competition to honour black role models, engaging 33 schools in partnership with Merseyside Police and local organisations.

Rainbow Laces

Liverpool FC once again proudly supported Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign this season, reinforcing our commitment to LGBT+ inclusion in sport.

The Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield and Women’s League Cup Merseyside derby at St Helens Stadium both featured the recognisable rainbow branding, with both captains wearing rainbow armbands, to promote the message that football is for everyone.

LFC Foundation also hosted a Rainbow Laces-themed tournament with local inclusive football teams, highlighting the importance of allyship and positive dialogue.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

International Day of Persons with Disabilities provides a key moment to amplify the voices and experiences of our incredible fans.

This season, Reds superfan Isaac, who was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, was given the surprise of a lifetime when he was visited at school by Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. This heartwarming moment, which was followed by a visit to the AXA Training Centre and an unforgettable mascot experience at Anfield, captivated the world – with the video receiving more than 122 million views and 12 million social media engagements.

Isaac’s story raised vital awareness of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, leading to a five-year high in global searches about the condition. His mother, Melissa, shared how overwhelming the support has been, with messages of encouragement flooding in from fans of rival clubs, celebrities and families of children with the same condition.

“Many families told us they felt alone in their journey, but Isaac’s story has given them hope. It’s so lovely for us to think that our Isaac has been able to bring hope to other families in our position,” she said.

We also welcomed die-hard supporter Sally Garster to St Helens Stadium, home of Liverpool FC Women, for a special tour guided by Reds defender Gemma Bonner.

Sally, a devoted fan who has cerebral palsy, shared how football is a vital part of her life, describing the deep connection and sense of community within the club. She said that LFC “is probably one of the most important things in my life. There’s no connection or community feeling like it.”

World Mental Health Day

To mark World Mental Health Day, Diogo Jota sat down with LFC performance psychologist Lee Richardson for an open conversation on dealing with pressure and stress.

Jota emphasised the importance of speaking openly about mental health challenges, saying, “Speaking to someone and saying your fears out loud already changes the way you feel. It’s important to share and support one another.”

LFC Foundation also hosted a series of mental health-focused events, including a ‘Welcome Reds’ session funded by the Premier League Fans Fund, designed to foster positive discussions around mental wellbeing through football.

LGBT+ History Month

Young people from YPAS were given a special opportunity to attend an LFC Women’s Community Day match as part of our LGBT+ History Month celebrations. The initiative, supported by LFC Foundation, aimed to promote representation and inclusion through the power of football.

At Anfield we hosted a networking and panel event with guest speakers including former Reds players Neil Mellor and Becky Easton, LGBT supporters board representative Cassie Rattray, and LFC’s director of impact Rishi Jain.

As we celebrate five years of Red Together, we reflect with pride on our ongoing commitment to championing equality, diversity and inclusion, maintaining the Advanced Level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard, achieving our status as a Disability Confident Employer at Level 2, with more to come before the end of the 2024-25 season.