As part of the Arsenal's ongoing commitment to equality and diversity, known as Arsenal for Everyone, the Club is marking the Football v Homophobia campaign and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans (LGBT) History Month at Saturday's game against Sunderland.
Arsenal will welcome representatives from the Gay Football Supporters Network and Football v Homophobia (FvH) as guests of the Club. They have been invited alongside other representatives of the Club’s diverse community to mark this special focus on Arsenal for Everyone.
Arsenal became the first football club to receive Kick It Out’s Advanced Level of the Equality Standard at the end of 2011, in recognition of the Club’s actions to promote and celebrate its community, its engagement with fans and the development of Club policies and processes to create equal opportunities for all.
"You learn about new cultures from meeting people from different backgrounds and I always try to take something from another person's culture and bring that into my own life. It broadens your mind"
The Club also signed the Government's Sports Charter, which tackles homophobia and transphobia in sport.
Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen expressed his support for the Arsenal For Everyone initiative in his captain's notes in the official matchday programme.
"We live in a multi-cultural society and it's good that the Club recognises that," said Vermaelen.
"I went to a school where there were lots of nationalities and it is the same in the Arsenal dressing room. You learn about new cultures from meeting people from different backgrounds and I always try to take something from another person's culture and bring that into my own life. It broadens your mind."
Arsenal’s chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, added: “Football has the power to bring people together in a unique way and we believe there should be no barriers to feeling a sense of belonging to Arsenal Football Club.
"This is something we will continually drive to create an inclusive atmosphere for our fans, staff, players and followers - whoever they are and wherever they’re from.”
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