We, the Proud Lilywhites, Tottenham Hotspur’s official LGBTQI+ supporters’ group, are thrilled to celebrate a decade of standing strong and shining bright! From a small group of passionate fans in 2014, we’ve grown into a vibrant community of nearly 1,000 members worldwide, all united by our love for Spurs and our commitment to inclusivity.

The past ten years have been a journey of incredible progress. We’ve campaigned tirelessly to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQI+ fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. We’ve played our part in having the homophobic “Chelsea rent boy” chant classified as a hate crime, sending a clear message of zero tolerance. Most importantly, we’ve seen the impact of our work extend far beyond the pitch, supporting individuals in need within the LGBTQI+ community.

These past few weeks have been a true celebration. Witnessing the stadium bathed in rainbow colors during matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa brought immense pride. The special event with Ben Davies and Ellie Brazil further cemented the bond we share with the club.

“Walking down the High Road (before Wolves), I can’t even begin to tell you how I felt,” notes Proud Lilywhites co-founder Chris Paouros.

“I come from Seven Sisters way and seeing the stadium saying celebrating 10 years of Proud Lilywhites, it almost took my breath away and I feel emotion now talking about it.

“We just made up this thing 10 years ago and thought this is a good idea! As a LGBTQI+ fan, you don’t always feel football is for you. And I always say that feeling when the ball is about to hit the back of the net and everyone rises in unison, you don’t get that anywhere else. For that reason I don’t want to deny that for anybody.”

The future burns brightly for the Proud Lilywhites. We’re more determined than ever to ensure everyone feels welcome at Tottenham Hotspur. We invite all who share our values to join us in this ongoing march towards a more inclusive footballing world. Together, we are stronger! Fans interested in becoming part of the movement can find us here on our website or social media channels.

View the Tottenham Hotspur article describing the Proud Lilywhites 10-year anniversary here!

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