Chelsea's show of support to Rainbow Laces

Chelsea called upon some special help to show their support for Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign on its 10th anniversary

The club commissioned LGBT Poet Laureate Trudy Howson to write a poem about Chelsea’s commitment to celebrating and championing their diverse fanbase.

Trudy’s poem explores internal and external landscapes of the LGBTQ+ community, using a “living interactive” method that surveys subjects to weave a narrative from their experiences.

Having interviewed players from both the men’s and women’s teams as well as Chelsea Pride, the club’s LGBTQ+ supporters’ group to capture the soul of the club and their supporters, Trudy translated their feelings on the beauty and strength of Chelsea's diversity.

Poetry In Motion On The Pitch

We are Chelsea Football Club,
118 years of passion from the stands above.
We’re a community of players and supporters,
All proud to be involved in this game that brings so much love.

We are every race and religion,
every gender and sexuality,
every sister and brother, every person.
Because we will always support one another.

It’s the diversity within us,
that enables our talent and promise to grow.
It makes on the pitch, and in the stands,
A celebration of what we know.

There is no place for hatred here,
Ignorance and prejudice hurts us all.
The Pride is a family.
So, be who you are by standing tall.

We’re lacing up, while speaking up.
Because we are the famous C.F.C.
We inspire pride in all those who wear our badge,
Supporting our community, whoever you may be.

Chelsea’s allyship with the LGBTQ+ community will be championed across two flagship matches - last weekend's home win by Chelsea Women over Leicester, and this Sunday's Premier League encounter between the Blues and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.