Rainbow Blades to release new film, 'Welcoming the Trans Community to Bramall Lane', for Trans Awareness Week, Trans Awareness Week runs each year from November 13-19. To mark the occasion this year, Sheffield United Football Club’s Official LGBTQ+ and Allies Supporter Group Rainbow Blades are releasing a film welcoming the trans community to Bramall Lane.
Rainbow Blades work alongside the Championship club to ensure the ground is a safe and inclusive space where all supporters are free to be their authentic selves. The group invited members who identify as trans to be involved in the making of the film.
We decided to make the 'Welcoming the Trans Community to Bramall Lane' film because we wanted to shine a positive light on our Trans Blades. Currently the Trans Community are vilified and discriminated in the media on almost a daily basis and we want them to know they have our support and are always welcome at Bramall Lane.
Rainbow Blades founder and chair James LaleyStephanie, a transgender season ticket holder at the football club who has been a Blade for 64 years, said “I joined Rainbow Blades because I think it's really important that we have equality, inclusion and freedom of expression in football. Rainbow Blades, along with Sheffield United FC, are creating a friendly environment which all fans of whichever gender or sexuality can enjoy without the fear of ridicule or rejection.”
Stephanie was keen to contribute to the making of the film and is looking forward to it being premiered across social media throughout Trans Awareness Week.
“Although these are small steps in a massive environment, they are very positive,” she says. “With action like this I am sure we can make the match day experience fantastic for everyone.”
Welcoming the Trans Community to Bramall Lane follows a previous film on allyship, which was released to coincide with the 2021 Rainbow Laces campaign. The Rainbow Blades committee saw an increase in applications to join the group from fans who identify as allies following the film’s release.
Both films were made in collaboration with VOX multimedia and shot at locations across the city including Bramall Lane and United’s Shirecliffe Training Facility.