FA? Nice idea, but this is not the way to do it

[sparkindarkness]

Ok Football Association? This is how not to do it.

The UK Football Association has decided to do something to tackle homophobia – probably because it realised that homophobia in professional sports is not that far behind homophobia in organised religion in prevalence and severity.

I applaud. It is certainly well intended and something that desperately needs tackling.

But, ye gods could you have POSSIBLY done a worst job of it?

First, you announce that you are producing a video to combat homophobia. They want this to be shown at half time during football matches. A nice idea – but the video? Well, you can find it on this link – and I’m putting a homophobia trigger warning on it.

Yes, a trigger warning. Which KIND of shows where it may fail in its purpose. It’s awful. I can see the intent – but ye gods! The idea is to show a football supporter attacking several people with horrendous homophobic language and slurs on his way to the office, in the office etc and then say “it’s not acceptable here, so why is acceptable in the football ground.” A good message…. except is there any thought gone into how many gay people will react to seeing this vid? Because I really really REALLY don’t think it’s a particularly happy fun vid for any homosexual to watch. I see what it’s doing and I definitely agree the message is powerful – but it’s also extremely unpleasant for me, a gay man, to watch.

But, the FA quickly follows up with fail the second – they “delay” the release.

Now, see, if they’d turned round and said “hey, y’know, we screwed up. This vid is awful, we need time to make one that doesn’t make gay people cringe and wince” would be better. But they pulled it at the last minute to consult with “focus groups” well, shouldn’t you have done that before release date? This campaign had been developed for 2 years and it was planned to be released on the 11th of this month. This kind of last minute cancelling does look something of shambles with little real dedication or thought being put in. Empty, half-hearted, lack-lustre, ill-thought out gesture? Yes we can has

I appreciate the effort and hope they will try harder and try again – because the virulence of homophobia in one of the all-consuming national pastimes is a severe worry – and you can’t tell me that the acceptance of homophobia in such a massive part of the lives of so many is not a terrible reflection on us – to say nothing of being severely damaging.

But, damn, I hope they do better than this