Rainbow Laces

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46330364

Rugby teams from around the world played matches this weekend and added a symbol to their kit. World champions New Zealand, and teams from Wales, France and USA wore rainbow laces in their games.

Rainbow laces are a symbol of support for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people and show that everyone is welcome in sport. Earlier this month a famous rugby player Gareth Thomas was attacked in his home city; Gareth is gay and his attacker chose to attack him because he felt hate towards gay people.

Many rugby players want to show their support for Gareth and show all LGBT people that they are welcome at rugby games. Captain of the Cardiff Blues, Blaine Scully, said; "Following the horrible attack on Gareth last weekend, I'm proud to stand with Gareth and the wider LGBT community against hate."

The photo shows the All Blacks team from New Zealand performing the Haka and wearing rainbow laces before their match with Italy.

What do you see in the picture?
What are they doing?
Do you notice anything different about their kit?

explain the story

- Why are rugby players wearing rainbow laces?
- what are rainbow laces for?
- why was Gareth attacked? (Gareth was not attacked "because he is gay"; lots of gay people walk around every day and are not attacked and Gareth has walked around in the week since and not been attacked. Gareth was attacked because one person didn't understand about difference and No Outsiders. Some people are afraid of difference and feel hate towards people they think are different. This person did not understand that gay people are just people who are different in one way; this person needs to visit a school where there are no outsiders so he can learn about different people and equality.)
- why does the rugby captain Blaine say he is "proud to stand with Gareth and the wider LGBT community"?
- how do you think Gareth felt when he saw lots of rugby players wearing rainbow laces?
- how do you think the person who attacked Gareth felt when he saw so many rugby players wearing rainbow laces?
- what can we learn from these rugby players?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the equality act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radial ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat