LGBTQ+ skills sessions: In conversation with West London Queer Project | OneFootball

To celebrate Pride Month this June, Brentford is highlighting the amazing team at West London Queer Project, who are working with the club to host LGBTQ+ inclusive football skills sessions.

Brentford is proud to support the initiative by providing qualified coaches through Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, who lead the sessions on a weekly basis.

Sessions are open to members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, providing a welcoming, community-led space for participants to enjoy football in a safe and inclusive environment.

They are free and run on Monday evenings from 6.30-8pm, alternating between locations in Chiswick and White City. Find out more and book on to a session here.

As founder of West London Queer Project (WLQP), Aubrey Crawley has been involved in the skills sessions from the start and is delighted to see how the group has grown both in size and confidence.

We spoke to him about what working with Brentford means for WLQP and the wider LGBTQ+ community.

Why did you start WLQP?

“When I first moved to the UK in 1998, I lived on Ealing Road. My garden backed on to Griffin Park and I’ve been a Brentford supporter ever since then.

“Many years later, during the pandemic, I started inviting people to socially distanced events in beer gardens in my area.

“People had been inside for so long that when we were allowed out, everyone wanted to talk and share their stories. So many people loved attending that I realised there’s an opportunity to start something, which turned out to be West London Queer Project.

“We now run weekly events, with different sports and socials available. We also work with the local council, the Police and with the NHS to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s grown into something special and we’re very proud of it.”

How did the LGBTQ+ skills sessions come together?

“We’d been up and running for a year and a half and I was back in South Africa driving past the Hollywoodbets building. My nephews were in the car and said, ‘Hey, that’s Brentford’s main sponsor!’

“It was always in our plans to start doing football sessions and we knew if we could get a Premier League club on board that it would help with our advocacy work. It’s our long-term goal to work with all the west London clubs, but after Hollywoodbets set up the first call with Brentford, they were the most willing to support. We started the sessions with the Community Sports Trust, and the rest is history!”

Why did you want to work with Brentford?

“Right from the start, Brentford were open to working with us. It was obvious that this wasn’t a box-ticking exercise for the club and they were focused on how we could make it work together.

“For me personally, it’s still a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment. I’ve lived most of my life under a rock. To come out into the open and have a Premier League club working with us and promoting what we do is an incredible feeling. It means a lot to all of us.”

What do you think the skills sessions offer the LGBTQ+ community?

“What you have to remember is that for many years, for their own safety, LGBTQ+ people only had bars and nightclubs where they could meet and be together. Our skills sessions are free to attend, out in the open, and promote an active and healthy lifestyle in a safe environment.

“The sessions have surprised us as well with people from so many different backgrounds and from all over the world taking part. Intersectionality in the LGBTQ+ community creates whole new layers of complexity. The sessions have become a space for them to meet regularly and make new friends. Everyone is made to feel welcome.

“We always need more visible spaces like this. I feel that society is going backwards in tolerance and understanding, but visibility leads to acceptance. Football has an incredible power to bring people together and let everyone celebrate their shared passions. I wish more people would visit the sessions because I truly believe it would help them get over whatever fear or prejudices they have.”

How can people get involved with WLQP or join a skills session?

“Visit our website and sign up to as many of our free events as you like! We’re also always looking for volunteers to help run our events and support the organisation. Find us on Instagram and Facebook to hear from the team about our work.”