The co-chair of the official LGBTQ+ supporters group says that Saturday's Rainbow Laces fixture is a vital day for visibility.
The first group affiliated to an English club for lesbian, gay, bi and trans people was established in February of 2013).
The largest group with over 1,000 members is the Gay Gooners.
A Gay Gooners banner is displayed in the stadium during the game between the two teams on December 13, 2020 in London, England. David Price is a photographer for the football team.
Skysports gay-gooners-rainbow is a song by the group.
Gay Gooners is a fan group that has its own banner on permanent display.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, co-chair Carl Fearn said that the campaign remains important to the group.
Having an allocated time in the domestic football calendar to raise awareness about inclusion is highly valued by groups like the Gay Gooners.
Fearn says they love football as much as anyone else.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and other captains wore rainbow armbands during last year's Rainbow Laces activation.
We're out there to say, we're here, and to please support us if there's any homophobic abuse or uncomfortable aspects of going to a game, at times, a lot of our members don't like visibility, but we're out there to just say, People around you will support you.
According to research conducted by ICM for Stonewall, more than two in five people in the LGBTQ+ community think public sporting events aren't welcoming.
Fearn believes chanting that perpetuates homophobic stereotypes in football is one factor that is influencing this view. He says he has never heard such chants while attending games at the Emirates, but sometimes he hears them when following the team away from home.
If I hear these chants, I will go up and talk to those singing them. I'll be polite and calm, and point out to the person in the Gay Gooners why certain chants are offensive.
Gay men are being made out to be weak by most of the chants.
He feels that the club is making a concerted effort to tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and that there is strong support from Gay Gooners' fellow fans groups.
The last week has been busy for the team, and they put in hours for Saturday. There are some great things to see inside the stadium without being spoiled.
"We're gathering outside for a photo opportunity with friends from the two largest groups - we've never had this cooperation with them before so that's very encouraging and leads into the allyship side."
Over 10% of the Gay Gooners membership are allies, people who are not LGBTQ+ themselves but are active and visible in their support of those who are.
Fearn says that they encourage anyone to join.
We're the most diverse and inclusive supporters group. It doesn't matter if you are male or female. We're like a part of the family.
Sky Sports is a member of TeamPride, which supports the Rainbow Laces campaign. Please contact us if you have a story about being LGBTQ+ or an ally that could help to make sport everyone's game.
