On Wednesday, The FA invited representatives from the 39 teams competing in the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) World Championships to Soho Square and lent its support to the tournament, which is currently taking place in London.
The tournament consists predominantly of teams from England, but 14 other countries are also represented, including Argentina, Iceland, USA and Japan.
The World Championships also welcomes teams from countries that do not allow them the political or financial freedom to express their sexuality openly, such as South Africa and Uganda.
Hosted by Leftfooters FC, this Championship offers a number of other events organised throughout London to celebrate the inclusivity of football in England, including an evening with the hosts at Regent's Park.
The FA's Equality Manager, Lucy Faulkner, is a keen advocate of the Games:
"The football that has been played so far has been fantastic and I've witnessed a real sense of fun and enjoyment in every match," she said.
"The FA is absolutely behind this tournament and is wholeheartedly committed to eradicating homophobia in football."
Indeed, the start of the 2007-08 season saw a change in football ground regulations with homophobic abuse now deemed punishable in the same way as racist abuse. The FA are now supporting this breakthrough further by providing volunteer Liaison Officers with the Gay Football Supporters Network who can advise and educate Premier League and Football League clubs on homophobia in the game.
One of the teams in the IGLFA World Championships is Yorkshire Terriers and Terriers player, David Grant, believes his discovery of gay football has given him the confidence to enjoy the game even more than before.
"I’ve always been interested in football," he explained, "but when I came out at 19, I stopped playing for a few years, because I wondered how I’d be received. Gay football has given me a platform to play the game and meet new friends, so it’s a very positive experience."
Peter Clifford from tournament hosts Leftfooters FC, is also of the opinion that sexual orientation should never be a barrier to people taking part in – and enjoying – our national sport.
"Some of the gay community feel that football is a straight man’s game, but that point of view ostracises me because I simply love football," he said.
"Sometimes I feel that I'm not part of either the straight football world or the gay community, so it’s fantastic that gay football is building a bridge between these two divides."
The Finals of both the men and women's competitions will take place on 30 August at Brisbane Road, home of Leyton Orient FC.
For further information on the IGLFA World Championships, please visit the tournament website, www.londonwc2008.co.uk
