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Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
As queer women, we couldn't be more proud of the ‘Lesbian-esses'
I've never been into football. At school, only boys were allowed to play, while girls were sent to the netball court. And as I got older, I just associated it with rowdy men — like the friend of a friend I watched the 2021 Men's Euros final with, who got so annoyed when England lost he threatened to throw her TV out of the window. As a queer woman, I've never felt encouraged to get involved, and I didn't see anyone like me on the pitch. But then came the Women's Euros this summer. At first, I wasn't particularly engaged with it, but when the invite to watch it at the pub dropped in the lesbian group chat, I thought, why not? And I'm glad I went. When Chloe Kelly's winning pentaly hit the back of the net, lesbian couples kissed, women embraced, and queer friends jumped up and down. I wasn't in an LGBTQ+ pub, but there was community everywhere. This wasn't just a win for women. It was a win for the queer community. Across all the teams that played in the Euros, there are reportedly 78 openly LGBTQ+ players and coaches. In the 2022 Men's World Cup, there were none. Even now, not one player in the Premier League is publicly out. Lionesses, past and present, like Jill Scott, Beth Mead and Jess Carter, have spoken publicly about their queer sexualities. And while other players have chosen not to label themselves in the media, many are rumoured to be dating women. The team has even been dubbed 'The Lesbianesses'. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! It all feels especially meaningful, particularly after rainbow armbands were banned at the men's World Cup in Qatar 2022 — and just months after FIFA confirmed the 2034 men's tournament would be hosted in Saudi Arabia, a country where LGBTQ+ rights are non-existent. Women's football is leading the way. Not just on the pitch, but in the community it creates, and it's having a real impact on women like me. Despite never being a huge fan of football culture, Mia Walters, 24, from Manchester, started watching the women's World Cup and was 'hooked from there'. 'I grew up in a family of football fans, but I never really felt like that was the space for me,' she tells Metro. 'As a queer woman, it doesn't always feel like there's a big space for us within society, like there is for queer men.' However, when watching women's football, she says 'the energy could just not be more different.' 'The Lioness games really provided that safe space. It feels like it's tailored for women and queer women.' She even travelled to Switzerland to watch the final. 'Seeing families, female couples and groups of friends meant it was so easy to feel integrated. 'I've been out for five years but I still don't always feel 100% comfortable being openly gay in public with my girlfriend. The matches have been the only places I 100% didn't worry about holding my girlfriend's hand or kissing in public.' Metro Lifestyle reporter Eleanor Noyce agrees the community around the Lionesses is buzzing with pride. Eleanor, who is bisexual, she says: 'Some might say as long as they're bringing it home, it doesn't matter how the Lionesses identify — but it means the world to me. 'I'm a life-long Arsenal fan, and while I'm a massive supporter of the mens' team, I feel more at home and accepted at Arsenal women's games. To watch England and know that many of the players on the pitch are part of the LGBTQ+ community is everything. It's not just about the sport, but the representation too. 'Other queer women get excited about couples within teams — there's fan accounts dedicated to the likes of Beth Mead and Vivienne Miedema. Society has sexualised queer women for such a long time, but now we're celebrating queer love on our own terms.' Eleanor, who also watched the Lionesses in Sweden, watched Sunday's final at the pub. She adds: 'It was a rare occasion when I was sat in an average pub in South London, surrounded by queer women. 'When Chloe Kelly scored the winning penalty, a couple in front of me kissed, with a Pride Progress flag pinned behind them. It just felt normal, and I've never experienced that before.' Eve Kirman, from Norwich, plays grassroots five and seven-a-side football in London. She grew up playing in boys' teams and later for Norwich United. While playing football was one of her 'biggest passions', she ultimately gave it up, as it didn't seem like a viable career choice for women. Today though, Eve still plays in local teams, where she says there is 'a level of openness' about queer identity. 'That trickles down from the Lionesses,' Eve, who is lesbian, tells Metro. 'They've created a really accepting, amazing vibe. We joke about bringing our WAGs to the sidelines of games to support us. 'When players are open about being queer, it sends a message without needing to say anything. More Trending 'There's just a real sense of joy that comes with being unapologetically yourself, having fun and doing something that you love.' However, Eve adds that there's still a way to go in terms of inclusivity. 'We have to reflect on who is being left out,' she says. 'The FA recently decided to ban trans women from playing in women's football. There's definitely more that can be done.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Readers dispute Barton's claim that England Lionesses aren't 'worthy of equal pay' MORE: 'I am a Lioness super fan, and I'm getting tattoos of seven players on my calf' MORE: Why Lionesses hero Jess Carter missed England's Euro 2025 trophy parade
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
England victory parade: fans to join Lionesses in London after Euro 2025 triumph
Update: Date: 2025-07-29T10:36:43.000Z Title: Murshida Uddin Content: Bus procession along the Mall to start at 12.10pm BST How England did it | Switzerland delivered | Mail Yara Yara El-Shaboury (now) and John Brewin (later) Tue 29 Jul 2025 11.36 BST First published on Tue 29 Jul 2025 09.57 BST 11.36am BST 11:36 is at the scene to report: At the start of the Mall, just before the Lionesses reach Buckingham Palace, thousands of fans have gathered all adorned with the flag of England and shirts of their favourite players. It also looks like the former Lioness Jill Scott is setting the scene on top of the bus. The FA are putting on quite the performance for us while we wait for the team to come out – the England mascot is dancing to some classics and really energising the crowd! 11.30am BST 11:30 Not long now until the bus parade begins! Remember, the procession along the Mall is expected to start at 12.10pm BST before a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace, which will be hosted by Alex Scott, the former England player. 11.27am BST 11:27 Then there is Hannah Hampton, who was born with strabismus, or a squint, meaning that when she was looking at an object with one eye, the other would be looking in another direction. She had three operations by the age of three but they were not completely successful, saying she would try to pour juice into a glass and miss if she was not holding it. Because of the condition, she was told by doctors she would not be able to play football. During a medical check-up at Stoke City, when Hampton was 12, doctors diagnosed another problem. She had impaired depth perception, meaning she struggles to tell how far away objects are. From Stoke City to Aston Villa and Chelsea, Hampton has certainly learned. After countless bloody noses and broken fingers from stopping the ball too near her face, or having her hands in the wrong position, she made a conscious effort to alter her hand position. It hasn't stopped all the blood: in extra time against Sweden, a collision left her with absorbent tissue up her right nostril. 11.21am BST 11:21 This squad is made up of so many great characters who also happen to be great at football. There is Chloe Kelly, who has now scored a winner and a penalty winner in two separate European finals. It is an incredible turnaround from a player who contemplated leaving the sport earlier in the year after troubles with her former club side, Manchester City. The 27-year-old forward has an aura about her, an unbridled self-confidence that she can make an impact no matter the circumstances and no matter the time she has to do it. It is the reason why there was little panic when Lauren James was forced off with her troublesome ankle injury in the first half. Many teams would have fallen apart at the sight of one of their key creative players having to depart early. England adjusted seamlessly as Kelly entered to pose a completely different threat for Spain's backline. Made for the big moments ✨ 11.00am BST 11:00 Priority access to grassroots football pitches for girls and women will be more than doubled under plans announced by the government after England's success at Euro 2025. As part of its 'Plan for Change', prime time slots dedicated to women's and girls' teams at government-funded facilities across England will be increased over the next five years to meet the expected increased demand resulting from England's dramatic penalty shootout win over Spain in Basel on Sunday. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will also honour England's second consecutive European Championship title by dedicating flagship sites and pitches to the Lionesses, helping to celebrate their own journeys from grassroots players to international success. Having set out a £400m investment in new grassroots facilities, which was announced in June 2025, a new grants scheme – in partnership with the Premier League and the Football Association, to be delivered by the Football Foundation – will focus on creating welcoming, safe and accessible amenities for women and girls at existing grassroots sports sites. The Government will be introducing a new approach to school sport, working alongside schools and national governing bodies to make sure all children have access to high quality sport – with girls and boys provided the same opportunities to play sport at school. A new Women's Sport taskforce will bring together leaders from across sport and academia, to focus on finding solutions to challenges facing women and girls in sport – from female athlete health to building a more diverse and dynamic workforce. The Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, said: 'Today we are taking decisive action to ensure that the incredible success of the Lionesses creates a lasting legacy for women and girls in sport. 'This isn't just about celebrating today's achievements – it is about building the foundations through our Plan for Change by removing barriers to participation. 'From ensuring every girl has equal access to sport in schools through our new partnership model, to creating facilities where women and girls can thrive, we are investing in the champions of tomorrow.' 10.33am BST 10:33 And then back home. Nike pulled out the stops for the plane with the word Home branded on the wing, the H made up of the roman numeral two to represent back-to-back Euro wins. Fans waited at Southend airport before the players were whisked away by coach to 10 Downing Street for a special reception. They were hosted by Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister as Keir Starmer had been in Scotland for talks with the US President, Donald Trump. We're home. It's home. 🏴❤️ Updated at 10.41am BST 10.22am BST 10:22 The win was history making. It was the first time England had won a major tournament away from home. The Lionesses also became the first senior English side to defend their title – and they did it by coming from behind at half-time – the first time that had been done before at the women's Euros. The celebrations went long into the early hours of the morning – as expected. Songs by Natasha Bedingfield, Heather Small and Gala all featured on a night of sing-alongs, dancing and drinking as the team, the staff and their loved ones soaked in the moment. A cavapoo called Reggie was at the heart of it all. 10.11am BST 10:11 Let's cast our mind back to two days ago. England v Spain. Defending Euro champions v world champions. And what a game it was. Mariona Caldentey gave the Spanish the lead but Sarina Wiegman's side have shown time and time again that when they are down, they are never out. Alessia Russo pulled one back before a nervy extra-time sent it to penalties. It was a poor start for England, Beth Mead missing her spot kick after a retake due to double contact. But the Spanish were clearly ill-prepared for penalties, with Hannah Hampton coming up big to make saves against Caldentey and the Ballon d'Or holder Aitana Bonmatí. Tied at 2-1, Chloe Kelly stepped up and scored the winning penalty into the top corner after her signature bouncy run-up. Cue the scenes. 9.57am BST 09:57 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of England's victory parade celebrating their triumphant Euro 2025 defence in Switzerland after a penalty shootout win against the world champions Spain. Yesterday the Lionesses were greeted by fans as they landed back in the UK before attending a reception at Downing Street hosted by Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister. Today an even bigger jubilant crowd will be able to celebrate with the team. The open-top bus procession along the Mall will begin at 12:10 BST before a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. Attendance for fans is free. Join me for all the latest and feel free to send your thoughts on the Lionesses win, what you plan to wear to the parade and anything else you want to share. The email can be found at the top of this blog.
Vogue
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
One British Vogue Editor's Wild 72 Hours in Switzerland for the Women's Euros Final
It's a Saturday afternoon in Basel, Switzerland, and the streets are deathly quiet. Everything looks spotless, polished, the chocolatiers and linen shops and beer-slash-pasta cafes all neatly lined up in a row. There is no indication, on the outside at least—maybe simmering beneath the surface, maybe in the terse expression of a passing fan—that tomorrow is the Women's Euros 2025 final, in which England goes up against Spain, arguably the best team in the world, or at least undoubtedly the bookies' favorite (but they're not England, are they? Crucially, they are not England). Right now, the Lionesses are—according to what professional footballer Jill Scott tells me over crisp Heinekens in a local hotel—probably going for gentle walks, drinking coffee, and maybe having a quick meeting ahead of the game. They won't be preparing at this stage—it's far too late for that. But they'll be more than ready, she has no doubt. She knew they were going to get through the semifinals against Italy, even when it looked bleak. 'I never believed they were going home, it was weird,' she says. 'When there was only one minute left on the clock, I turned to Beth Mead's dad and said, 'You know what, they'll get one chance,' and as I said that, Hemp crossed it and Michelle scores, which was a brilliant finish.' If they win tomorrow, or 'when they win,' as Jill puts it—again she's sure, she has that feeling—it'll be an even bigger achievement than in 2022, she says; the teams have gotten even better, the pressure is even higher. By Sunday, the vibe's picked up in Basel as Brits trickle in—men, women, kids, endless queer couples—in face paint and flags and customized kits. But it's the Spanish fans that seem the most sure. Maybe it's because our hotel is closer to the Spanish fan zone, or maybe it's because they beat us in the 2023 World Cup final, but even the way they wear the Spanish flag tucked into the back pocket of their jeans emanates a certain assurance, as if to say, nice try, but we got this. But then I remember Jill, and how she's told me, and a few others in our group by now, that the Lionesses are going to win. And if anyone knows, it's the former Lioness who was on the squad herself when we last won. And it's this which is rattling around my mind as we head to the stadium, and take our seats by the pitch, Heineken can sawed off into a cup, eyelids fixed open as if stuck with tape.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Fired-up England fans pack out fan zones as they get ready to roar Lionesses onto Euros victory in final
FIRED-UP England supporters have packed out fan zones in Basel today, as they gear up to roar on the Lionesses from abroad. The Lionesses are set to face Spain in the European Championship final in just hours when it kicks off in Switzerland tonight. 11 11 11 Kick off will be at 5pm UK time, with fans due to flock to pubs across the country to cheer their team on. The game will be broadcast on BBC One and ITV1 for fans at home. And with pub licenses being extended until 1am, fans are hopeful that the Lionesses will bring it home. Tonight's match takes place in Basel, Switzerland, with fans kitted out in merch as they await kick off in fan zones nearby. Fan zones are decked out with flags and merch supporting the team. Those eagerly awaiting kick off could be seen donning England tops as they waved flags. Others had brought cardboard cutouts and posters for their favourite players. One fan could be seen carrying a cutout of team manager Sarina Weigman, while another carried Jill Scott. Wrapped in St George's flag, some fans have even painted the flag on their faces. Prince William, the patron of the Football Association, is set to be in Switzerland to cheer the team on. In a message on Saturday, the Prince of Wales said: "Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow. "The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on! W." Tensions are building as the team previously lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2023 World Cup Final. However, the England team have demonstrated a strong winning streak throughout the tournament. In a tense game against Italy, they clawed back a 1-0 losing streak, to go on to win 2-1 in the final minutes of the match. It cemented 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang as England's breakout star of the tournament. The Lionesses have shown their prowess on the field, as the team prepare for tonight's all-important game. Speaking to PA news agency, captain Leah Williamson said that the team were refusing to let fear dictate their approach to football. She said: "If you're fearful of losing, then even if you do win, do you enjoy that experience. Do you fully take it in?" Wiliamson added: "I think this team is so task-focused. Whatever is in our way, we'll try and overcome that together. I don't think we're a team fearful of losing." Spain are currently the favourites to win after claiming the Nations League title in 2024. It would be the first time the Spanish women's team win a European title, and would make them the first national side in history to possess every UEFA trophy on offer. However, England fans are ready to cheer on their team in the hopes that they come out on top. Speaking about tonight's game, Williamson said: "Hopefully the best is yet to come." It comes after the Home Office confirmed that licensing hours would be extended across England and Wales, allowing pubs to stay open until 1m. Pub licensing hours can be relaxed for events of "exceptional national significance" with both the semi-final and final of the Euros included under this umbrella term. The same extension was allowed earlier this week when the Lionesses played Italy in the semi-final on Tuesday. 11 11 11 It gave Brits plenty of time to celebrate after the team won 2-1 during extra time. In an exhilarating final few minutes, the team clawed back from a 1-0 loss after Michelle Agyemang scored in the 96th minute, leading England to win 2-1 during extra time. The British Beer and Pub Association has estimated that pub-goers will buy a million extra pints during the final, which could boost the economy by £5 million. Announcing the news, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "I want to wish the best of luck to (manager) Sarina Weigman and the England squad, who we hope will bring it home once again and continue on as champions of Europe." 11 11 11 11
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Lionesses hero reveals burning ambition to star in reality show like I'm A Celeb or Dancing on Ice
LIONESSES hero Chloe Kelly has revealed she has a burning ambition to star in I'm A Celeb or Dancing on Ice. On The Lionesses Podcast, Kelly, whose penalty winner against Italy in the Euro semi-final this week secured the team a place in the final, said she would 'love' to appear on the shows. The 27-year-old praised retired England legend Jill Scott, 38, for winning the 2022 series of I'm A Celeb, but doubts she could match her exploits. She said: 'I don't think I would do as well. "Jill's so bubbly and the challenges didn't phase her.' While discussing the potential of appearing on the reality dance show, she revealed she 'can't ice skate". But she added she 'can learn' the skill. The Arsenal star also revealed she wore custom shin-pads when playing for the club last season. One featured Chloe and her husband Scott Moore on their wedding day. The other showed her dog.
