Play in Colour is a European mobilisation inviting municipalities to take a clear public stand against conversion practices targeting LGBTQIA+ people.
The appeal is part of the project Better in Colour, Better in Sports, promoted by [Gaynet] as part of the “Meglio a Colori” campaign, in partnership with [EGLSF] and [ACT – Against Conversion Therapy], within the framework of the Connecting Spheres initiative funded by the European Union.
Why this appeal
Across Europe, so-called conversion practices still send a harmful message: that some people must change who they are in order to belong.
These practices fuel the rhetoric of deviance, contribute to hate speech and violence, and weaken social cohesion.
In 2020, the United Nations called for a global ban on conversion practices. More recently, over one million European citizens supported a European Citizens’ Initiative calling for EU action to prohibit them. However, a comprehensive EU-wide ban has not yet been adopted.
Cities also have a key role to play.
Every city is a playing field. It is where people grow, learn, participate and build their lives together. In sport, as in life, everyone should have a chance to play, with dignity and without fear.
What we ask from cities
We invite European municipalities to join the initiative by taking a clear public stand and:
- supporting ongoing efforts at EU and national level to prohibit conversion practices;
- promoting inclusive and respectful urban environments;
- recognising sport as a space of empowerment and belonging.
Cities that join the initiative will:
- be publicly recognised through dedicated communication;
- receive a toolkit of actions to support local implementation;
- be part of a growing movement of Play in Colour cities.
Cities can send a clear message:
No one needs to change who they are to belong.
Download the appeal
[Download the Play in Colour appeal – PDF]
Join the initiative
Municipalities wishing to join the appeal can write to:
Please include the name of your city/municipality and a contact person for follow-up.
We invite your city to Play in Colour.
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