Kits 24/25

[PaulWinch again]

That is entirely the point though - you cannot get to a position of universal respect until marginalised groups are respected. To do that they need visible and vocal support.

[Sexual Ealing]

If it makes LGBT+ people feel more included, I'm all for it. If it alienates the sort of people who would be offended by a pro-LGBT+ message then, again, I'm all for it.

This.

[Ian.]

It reminds me of the shirt Bosnich wore for the Villa in the cup final.

[Nii Lamptey]

Absolutely agree on these comments. I just question whether a fancy shirt would make the community feel any more included than not, unless they’re specifically seeking the added attention?

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I just feel that if I was gay or bi or wanted to live as a woman, I’d just want to be treated like any other human being. By that, I mean not given a second glance when walking down the road with my partner, or being harassed on a train by some pissed up lout because I dress slightly differently.

I can’t see what difference a shirt is going to make? There are 2 distinct camps - those that are supportive and are happy for people to live their lives how they see fit, and on the flip side, those that get a nose bleed at the mere mention of rainbows and pride events.

Supportive people will support regardless, so all these events do is put a bigger target on the back of this community imo. Pride gestures are not going to change the other group of people’s minds, which I’m assuming is the main aim otherwise what do we stand to gain from it?

[AV84]

It's the fact that these groups have been marginalised and excluded for so long that means there does need to be visible support now. Sport, men's in particular, is one of the areas where that old bigoted mindset still exists. There's still homophobic chants from fans, there's still no, or very few, openly gay active players. These two things are linked. By putting the spotlight on this group, or any other, it's sending the message that they are as much a part of the club as anyone else, that they're welcome, and the ones who would object to that are the minority.

[dave.woodhall]

The drive for inclusivity reminds me of the time some twenty years ago when clubs were desperate to attract Asian supporters. And as an Asian football player said to ne, "What makes everyone think we want to watch football?"

[PaulWinch again]

I suppose that could well be true, but I prefer to think of it as something that says - if you’re part of this group and you support Villa you’re welcome here - rather than an active grab for a particular group.

[algy]

I think consistent small acts are more important than one off grand things. Just generally. So whilst wearing rainbow laces or an armband or a pre match shirt isn’t much in itself, doing it consistently and regularly is important in helping to break down barriers and prejudices.

All that said, I’m not sure why anyone would that shirt. But I guess I’m not the target market for it anyway

[Brazilian Villain]

All that said, I’m not sure why anyone would that shirt. But I guess I’m not the target market for it anyway

Who is?

[Toronto Villa]

The drive for inclusivity reminds me of the time some twenty years ago when clubs were desperate to attract Asian supporters. And as an Asian football player said to ne, "What makes everyone think we want to watch football?"

True. But also as an Asian football supporter who followed the club at a less inclusive time I’m glad there was some effort on the part of the club and the sport to create an environment that I could attend and not feel threatened or intimated. Watching Villa in the 80’s as a young Indian kid, already having to deal with going to school in Aston wasn’t much fun at times. I’m glad things are better today.

[VillaTim]

I guess it's what clubs do now , be it diversity , or knife crime or whatever , good for PR and good for squeezing a few more quid out of the fans .

[PeterWithe]

The shirt seems incredibly flamboyant, I'm suspicious that when doing the research into 'what do gays wear' it was limited to watching a few episodes of Are You Being Served. 

[AV84]

Are they actually designed specifically for gay fans to wear? That does seem odd, to be fair. Like when they make women's shirts and they're pink instead of club colours. Although I think we've gotten away from that a bit since women's football has gained more popularity.

Maybe having a design that speaks to the wider fan base while making the same statement would be a better idea, for fans and for making money off it.

[paul_e]

It's designed by jeremy scott, take a few minutes to look into what he does and it's clear this is bang in line with what everyone will have expected as soon as they got him involved.

[AV84]

Yeah.... it could have been worse.