Rainbow Owls

Three-time world squash champion and lifelong Owls fan Nick Matthew has lent his support to Football v Homophobia’s Month of Action. As part of his role as ambassador of Rainbow Owls, the LGBTQ+ and allies supporters’ group of Sheffield Wednesday, Nick recently wore a Football v Homophobia T-shirt for the organisation’s annual Wear It Black and Pink Day to back their fight against anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. “I'm passionate about football being inclusive for all,” said Nick. “I remember growing up being part of many sports, and I just remember football having that edge, an atmosphere and a bit of hate going on. “We're very territorial with our teams and how we support, and everything is very set in stone with a fixed way of thinking. “I think we can change that with the modern world and really do some good by being more diverse and inclusive to all. “Everyone is equal, and it's very powerful if we can all work together to collaborate and communicate, so we're all singing from the same hymn sheet.” Today is the club’s designated Football v Homophobia and EFL Rainbow Ball matchday, with everyone at Sheffield Wednesday being proud to support LGBTQ+ fans throughout the season!

Saturday's #swfc programme included a @footballvhomophobia.com Wear It Black and Pink Day piece with quotes from Rainbow Owls ambassador and three-time world squash champion Nick Matthew 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

@swfc.co.uk broadening the #FvH2026 message with print coverage is empowering for our LGBTQ+ and ally fans! 💙

A photo of a rainbow corner flag with a SWFC motif.

A photo of SWFC mascots Ozzie and Barney Owl wearing rainbow laces

A photo of a SWFC Kids Zone Schedule graphic that includes Progress Pride colours on the footer and WAWAW symbol.

A photo of Liam Palmer wearing a rainbow armband.

Yesterday was our @footballvhomophobia.com matchday with @swfc.co.uk and @swfccp.co.uk! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

From rainbow corner flags and rainbow laces for our mascots to Progress Pride colours on social media graphics, our club made a huge effort with the extra #swfc touches that make #FvH2026 games so special. 👏

A photo of the match programme for Sheffield Wednesday vs. Southampton

Today is @swfc.co.uk and @swfccp.co.uk's designated Rainbow Ball & @footballvhomophobia.com matchday! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We'll be playing a visible part at #swfc throughout today and there will be LGBTQ+ content in the match programme, including an article about the recent #FvH2026 Wear It Black & Pink campaign!

Photo of Nick Matthew wearing a FvH T-shirt.

Rainbow Owls ambassador Nick Matthew has been interviewed on the #swfc website for tomorrow's designated @footballvhomophobia.com #FvH2026 matchday! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️⚽️

We're proud that @swfc.co.uk continues to highlight the importance of LGBTQ+ allyship! 🙌💙

To read the article ➡️ www.swfc.co.uk/news/2026/fe...

A photo of a Football v Homophobia T-shirts being laid out.

We're proud to be partnering with SWFC Supporters' Trust for tomorrow's designated @footballvhomophobia.com game with @swfc.co.uk @swfccp.co.uk 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Players will be wearing warm-up #FvH2026 shirts with mascots Ozzie Owl & Barney Owl, showing the power of #swfc teamwork when fighting discrimination 🤝

The graphic text states: "#FvH2026 at SWFC. Match against Southampton. Educational workshops with SWFCCP. Football v Homophobia stadium visibility. Members involved in half-time lottery draw. Website and match programme coverage" The graphic includes the Rainbow Owls and Football v Homophobia logos, inbetween a photo of three Rainbow Owls members holding the group banner pitchside with Liam Palmer. All of this information is placed over a backdrop of rainbow colours.

Saturday is our designated @footballvhomophobia.com #FvH2026 game with @swfc.co.uk and @swfccp.co.uk! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

From LGBTQ+ stadium visibility to pre-match educational outreach with students, we're proud to assist #swfc in establishing matchday campaigns that promote conversations & inclusion. 💙

The text from this graphic in full: How to report abuse at the Norwich vs. SWFC match. Stadium Control Room: Text the word REPORT, followed by full incident and location details, in real time to 80011. You can also report such discrimination, relating to this specific game, to these email addresses: hatecrime@sayit.org.uk and report@kickitout.org The top of the graphic includes logos for Rainbow Owls, SAYiT and Kick It Out, which are placed over a background of Hillsborough Stadium.

We hope #swfc fans have a safe time at tonight's game! 💙

If you experience or see discrimination: text REPORT, followed by incident and location details, to the Stadium Control Room on 80011 📱

Kick It Out & our LGBTQ+ charity partner @sayitsheffield.bsky.social also run national reporting centres.

A new EDI Supporters' Survey has been launched by @swfc.co.uk! 📝

This short survey will help the club to better understand the diverse backgrounds of our #swfc fanbase and inform their EDI strategy, so Hillsborough can continue being a more inclusive stadium. 💙

Rival Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday fans breaking down barriers Rainbow Blades founder James Laley and Rainbow Owls chair Chris Ledger are aiming to make football more inclusive on and off the pitch.

Today is the Steel City Derby, with BBC Sport marking it by profiling Sheffield's thriving LGBTQ+ supporters' group movement. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We may be rivals on the pitch, but Rainbow Owls & Rainbow Blades always stand together in tackling discrimination - both during & beyond @footballvhomophobia.com #FvH2026

It is always a pleasure for us to assist & support events, which are organised by fellow LGBTQ+ supporters' groups, especially ones that are funded by @thefsa.bsky.social's #FansForDiversity scheme. 💙

A photo of members from Rainbow Spireites, Rainbow Rams and Rainbow Owls holding the LGBTQ+ Regional Alliance banner.

A photo of members from Rainbow Spireites and Rainbow Rams taking part in a discussion panel about LGBTQ+ fan experiences with Hannah Kumari and Brian Stokes at a Chesterfield FC hospitality suite.

We attended our Regional Alliance pals @rainbowspireites.bsky.social & Rainbow Rams' Rainbow Goals conference yesterday! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The event included an LGBTQ+ fan experiences panel with #FansForDiversity campaign manager Hannah Kumari & @footballvhomophobia.com non-league lead @brianstokes92.bsky.social.

The graphic text states: Sheffield Wednesday Women back anti-homophobia campaign. The graphic also includes a photo of the players holding a Rainbow Owls banner.

Shef News has covered our recent designated @footballvhomophobia.com matchday with Sheffield Wednesday Ladies! 💙

"We’re able to empower fans through banners & #FvH2026 shirts, helping to create conversations between supporters and families.” 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

To read the article ➡️ shefnews.co.uk/index.php/20...

A photo of four Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme staff members wearing FvH T-shirts and holding the FvH banner at Hillsborough Stadium.

Thank you to @swfccp.co.uk for highlighting @footballvhomophobia.com's Wear It Black & Pink Day yesterday! 🖤🩷

Our #swfc group was proud to help amplify and empower their LGBTQ+ allyship of Rainbow Owls by providing #FvH2026 T-shirts and a banner for staff members to use at Hillsborough Stadium. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

A photo of Martyn Ware wearing a Football v Homophobia T-shirt.

Our last #swfc ambassador to back @footballvhomophobia.com Wear It Black & Pink Day is Heaven 17's @marcheenware.bsky.social 🖤🩷

Martyn: "In football terms, LGBTQ+ rights are swept under the carpet. It’s positive that people support #FvH2026 in helping them be whatever & whoever they wish to be.” 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

A photo of three-time world squash champion and Rainbow Owls ambassador Nick Matthew wearing the FvH T-shirt.

Three-time world squash champion Nick Matthew is the third #swfc Rainbow Owls ambassador to back Wear It Black & Pink Day by wearing @footballvhomophobia.com's T-shirt! 🖤🩷

Nick: "Everyone is equal and we need to unite people through the power of #FvH2026. It's powerful if we all work together." 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

A photo of two-time Special Olympics champion and Rainbow Owls ambassador Niall Guite wearing a FvH T-shirt.

Two-time Special Olympics gold medallist Niall Guite is our second #swfc ambassador to back @footballvhomophobia.com Wear It Black & Pink Day! 🖤🩷

"When we stand together against discrimination, it sends the #FvH2026 message that football is for everyone and makes the stadium a welcoming place."

A photo of Sheffield Wednesday Ladies FC forward and Rainbow Owls ambassador Rachel Norsworthy wearing a Football v Homophobia T-shirt.

Our first #swfc ambassador to back Wear It Black & Pink Day and wear the @footballvhomophobia.com tee is Sheffield Wednesday Ladies forward Rachel Norsworthy 🖤🩷

Rachel: #FvH2026 is important, not just for the women's game, but across the board, so we can raise awareness & visibility in the game. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The graphic text states: "Rainbow Owls Wear It Black and Pink" in black and pink colours. The top of the graphic includes the Rainbow Owls and Football v Homophobia logos. All of this information is placed over a blue backdrop of Hillsborough Stadium.

We're proud to launch Rainbow Owls Wear It Black and Pink tomorrow in support of @footballvhomophobia.com #FvH2026! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Thank you to @swfccp.co.uk and our four #swfc ambassadors - including @marcheenware.bsky.social - for partnering to help back International Day Against LGBTQ+phobia in Sport. 💙

It was also a pleasure to mention the incredible support from #SWLFC players, including our ambassador Rachel Norsworthy and fan conference speaker Jess Birtles! 💙

Our #swfc founder @topherchris1987.bsky.social was interviewed before Sunday's designated @footballvhomophobia.com matchday with Sheffield Wednesday Ladies about the importance of #FvH2026 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

"It empowers fans through matchday visibility & creates discussions on challenging wrongful behaviours." 🙌💙

We're proud that @swfc.co.uk are one of several professional clubs to have signed up as @footballvhomophobia.com #FvH2026 Champions! 🙌💙🦉

These are powerful words from #SWLFC forward and our #SWFC ambassador Rachel Norsworthy at Sunday's designated @footballvhomophobia.com match with Sheffield Wednesday Ladies 💙

#FvH2026 helps everyone feels comfortable, regardless of background or sexuality, so we can enjoy the game that we love. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

FvH Wear It Black & Pink Day

🩷⚫️ CALLING ALL FvH FANS, FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS!

🗓️ This Thursday, February 19, is the International Day Against LGBTQ+-phobia in Sport… and we’re again asking our supporters to ‘Wear It Black & Pink’

🚨 Now is the time to get ready!

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A photo of Sheffield Wednesday Ladies FC players huddled together with captain Eleanor Vessey wearing a rainbow armband.

A photo of Sheffield Wednesday Ladies FC captain Eleanor Vessey wearing a rainbow armband.

A photo of a Sheffield Wednesday Ladies FC player wearing a Football v Homophobia warm-up T-shirt.

Yesterday's designated @footballvhomophobia.com matchday with Sheffield Wednesday Ladies had lots of LGBTQ+ visibility! 😍

Our #swfc group was proud to provide a rainbow armband for captain Eleanor Vessey, plus a selection of warm-up #FvH2026 tops for #SWLFC players like vice-captain Jess Birtles 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

A photo of Sheffield Wednesday Ladies FC players holding the Rainbow Owls banner before their designated Football v Homophobia matchday.

Today marked our designated @footballvhomophobia.com #FvH2026 matchday with Sheffield Wednesday Ladies! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

There was a lot of LGBTQ+ outreach, but the togetherness of the #SWLFC squad holding our #SWFC Rainbow Owls banner especially highlights the importance of collective allyship and visibility. 🙌

A photo of four Rainbow Owls members holding the Football v Homophobia banner in the Kop at Hillsborough Stadium.

Our group was so proud to hold the @footballvhomophobia.com #FvH2026 banner in the Kop yesterday! 😍

@twwcast.bsky.social providing match tickets made it possible for Rainbow Owls members to meet our season ticket holders at half-time, so the #swfc support for Month of Action remains incredible. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

A photo of four Rainbow Owls members sat together at The Pangolin for a matchday social.

Despite today's #swfc loss, we had another great matchday social at The Pangolin 🙌💙

We appreciate @twwcast.bsky.social's LGBTQ+ allyship for @footballvhomophobia.com #FvH2026 Month of Action, as their provision of free tickets for the third season in a row brought Rainbow Owls members together. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Any form of discrimination is unacceptable and it is saddening to hear that there has been another in-person homophobic incident at a live game.

Our solidarity and thoughts are with @chelseapride.bsky.social 🙏💙

The middle of the graphic states: "Owls vs Millwall, Saturday 14 February, 1pm; The Pangolin - next to Hillsborough Park tram stop" in yellow text. The bottom of the graphic states "Matchday social" in the official trans colours of light blue and pink, with a Pride flag placed in-between the two words. The top of the graphic includes the Rainbow Owls logo and a cartoon icon of two LGBTQ+ people holding a Pride flag, which are both placed over a blue backdrop of Hillsborough Stadium.

Our next #swfc matchday social is tomorrow! 💙

We also have a special @footballvhomophobia.com #FvH2026 collaboration with @twwcast.bsky.social in the Kop, but we're still having pre-match drinks at The Pangolin from 1pm. 🍻

Everyone is welcome at our socials, so please pop in for a friendly chat! 🙌

@chrisjepson.bsky.social @proudstudios.bsky.social