Gay football world cup denied support by Ken.
London – 15 April 2008
The Mayor of London has refused to contribute to the funding of the 2008 International Gay & Lesbian Football Association World Championship, which is being held in London in August.
Mr Livingstone has also refused to sign a letter of support for the IGLFAWC’s grant application to the lottery fund. Having the high-profile support of the Mayor would increase the likelihood of the grant succeeding.
The unexpected lack of financial support from the Mayor has contributed to the IGLFAWC being left with a funding shortfall.
The organisers need to raise another £30,000 to cover their costs.
“It is scandalous that Ken Livingstone is organising billions of pounds for corporate mega events like the 2012 Olympics but can’t give a few thousand pounds to help host the gay football world championship,” said Peter Tatchell of the LGBTI human rights group OutRage!
“London is has won the honour of being the host city, yet the Mayor is refusing to support the event in any way. He’s giving no funding and won’t sign a letter of support for the lottery bid.
“The UK’s Stonewall Football Club has previously won the gay world championship, and is a strong contender to win the title this year. It is a great shame that the Mayor is not backing our footballers.
“The gay community is being taken for granted and short-changed by the Mayor. Huge grants are being doled out to other communities but the gay community is getting very little.
“Mr Livingstone’s refusal to fund the IGLFAWC comes on top of his less generous funding of Pride London, compared to his much larger funding of the St Patrick Day’s Parade and the anti-racist Rise music festival.
“Both St Patrick’s Day and Rise deserve Mayoral support, but Pride London also deserves similar levels of financial backing,” said Mr Tatchell.