Wolves launch official LGBT supporters group

A special event was held at Molineux's North Bank Bar to mark its founding.

Ashley Powell, aged 28, from Kingswinford, who set-up the group, said: "This is about joining two communities together, the LGBT community and football community which don't often join well.

"We are trying to reach out to people who are like minded football fans, who you don't often get to meet.

"When you scratch the surface, you see their is a whole movement going on."

Around 40 people attended the launch night on Monday.

Speakers from the LGBT community, including Pride in Football and Black Country Fusion FC, gave talks while guests also watched England's game against Montenegro.

The group has been running for 18 months on Twitter at @prideofmolineux.

The group's launch followed Wolves' participation in the Rainbow Laces campaign in November to support the LGBT community.

Wolves support liaison officer Dave Wood said: "This group has gone from strength to strength over the past 18 months. It is very much a fan initiative but Wolves have got on board with it and shown the support we think it needs.

"Although it is an LGBT supporters group, it is not exclusive for that community and it is not a closed group."

Ashley says it is important to raise awareness about the stigma which the LGBT can face in football.

"I have never experienced anything homophobic but I know people who have," he said.

"There were (homophobic) chants at the Chelsea game from the Wolves end, which people got sorted out for.

"You look on social media, you only have to look at this group launching, and the comments of 'where is the straight group when you need it' and you just start to realise, it is educating people sometimes. You don't want to do it because we want to attack everybody who watches football, we want to do it because we want like-minded people."