The Justin Campaign - Campaigning Against Homophobia in Football

The Justin Campaign is a campaign against homophobia in football, founded in memory of Justin Fashanu, the world’s only openly gay professional footballer who committed suicide in 1998.

The campaign wishes to demonstrate that homophobia is still hugely prevalent within the sport, with seriously damaging consequences. Through Art, Events, Education and Football we hope to persuade the football authorities in England to observe Saturday 2 May 2009 as Justin Fashanu Day and more generally, want 2nd May to become the annual international day of protest against homophobia in sport.

There are a number of things you can do to support us. Sign our petition or play for our campaigning team, The Justin Fashanu All-Stars.

Get involved

For all his talent, Justin Fashanu is chiefly remembered for two things: firstly, for being the world’s first openly gay professional footballer; and secondly, for committing suicide.

Whilst the long decline of the powerful centre-forward was not caused solely by his homosexuality, there is no doubt that the pressures and prejudices Justin experienced as a gay black man in the harsh world of professional football contributed significantly to his downfall.