Norfolk Constabulary’s firearms unit have joined Stonewall’s national Rainbow Laces campaign against homophobia as a gesture of support for Norfolk’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) communities during LGBT History Month.
Rainbow laces were originally sent to all Premier League footballers, and every professional team in the UK as part of a campaign to raise awareness of homophobia in football by Stonewall, Paddy Power and the Gay Football Supporters’ Network.
The Rainbow Laces campaign originated as a means of removing homophobia from sports, playing fields, terraces and stadiums across the country, with the campaign now having extended to organisations and public services to fight homophobic stigma and abuse.
During February Norfolk Police have displayed the rainbow flag outside their headquarters in Wymondham and are continuing to promote initiatives throughout the month.
Inspector Lou Provart, Co-Chair of the National LGBT Network, said: “Norfolk Constabulary has a long history of supporting our LGBT staff and wider LGBT communities, as well as challenging stereotypes in all forms.
“It has been fantastic to work with our Firearms Training Department as well as the Norfolk Fire Urban Search and Rescue Team to clearly demonstrate just that.
“As a public service we want people to know that we are here to provide clear and unambiguous support to our LGBT communities to ensure that homophobia and transphobia are given the red card, in the same way at this campaign has started to kick homophobia out of the terraces of our football clubs.”
In January, Stonewall named Norfolk Constabulary the 32nd best workplace for LGBT employees in the country, a rise from number 40 last year.
(Photo: Norfolk Police)
