PHOTOGRAPHY Susana Ferreira
In the heart of North London, Arsenal Football Club stands as a powerful symbol of community, belonging, and progress. With more than 40 years of grassroots work and a commitment to inclusivity running through every corner of the club, Arsenal isn’t just shaping football history – they’re cultivating safe spaces off the pitch, where supporters from all backgrounds can come together, celebrate safely, and feel truly welcome.
Last week, that same spirit of joy, community and belonging was on full, glittering display at Bonanza – a proudly queer rodeo night in North London, collaborating with Arsenal Women as part of the club’s Pride celebrations. Founded by writer, producer and life-long Arsenal supporter Sophie Ward, Bonanza is a raucous, rhinestoned love letter to sapphic joy and LGBTQIA+ nightlife. Held monthly at The Boogaloo pub in Highgate, it’s a free-spirited safe space for the community to go full high-camp cowboi – think sequinned stetsons, bedazzled chaps, and dancefloor euphoria soundtracked by Dolly, Chappell Roan, Cowboy Carter and Ke$ha.
“I’m a born-and-bred North London girl, and after getting together with my girlfriend in 2020, it became even more apparent to me that while North London is queer and liberal, there isn’t much here for us, especially when it comes to nightlife,” Sophie explains. “The Boogaloo Pub has been my local for four years now, and I got to know the owner, Gerry O’Boyle – a real character in London’s pub scene – through my love for the place. When he mentioned wanting to put on a queer night, my cogs started whirring. A brainstorming session between us (his cult film knowledge met my love of all things camp) led to the idea of a queer country night, originally inspired by his love of the queer western Even Cowgirls Get The Blues. A queer cowgirl in the film, played by Rain Phoenix, is called Bonanza Jellybean – and that’s where the name came from.”
In a city where LGBTQIA+ venues are disappearing at an alarming rate, Arsenal’s support of Bonanza isn’t just symbolic – it’s an act of real and urgent allyship. Revealed in a new report from Gay Times, nearly half of respondents reported that there are fewer LGBTQIA+ venues in their area now than just three years ago. These aren’t just nightlife spots; they’re vital lifelines. The majority of respondents said these spaces help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and nearly one in three said losing them would leave them feeling devastated or heartbroken.
These barriers don’t end where the bar’s doors close. Even when venues exist, many in the community say they don’t feel safe getting to them – especially late at night – with public transport ranked an average of 2.8 out of 5 for safety when travelling home. And, at a time when progress on LGBTQIA+ inclusivity is at risk in the UK, many supporters remain targets of harassment and hate both on and off the football pitch. All of this makes initiatives in the heart of Islington like Bonanza, and Arsenal’s backing of them, feel even more essential for the club’s LGBTQIA+ supporters. These spaces are about more than celebration; they’re about visibility, belonging, and collective joy. They offer the radical freedom to be fully seen without compromise or fear. And in that, they echo what Arsenal in the Community’s work has always stood for: building spaces that welcome everyone, as they are, and creating support systems that stretch far beyond the pitch.
With The Boogaloo in the catchment area of many Arsenal fans – and a large number of our crowd falling within the FLINTA bracket – there’s a lovely crossover between Arsenal Women’s supporters and Bonanza regulars.
Sophie Ward
“With The Boogaloo in the catchment area of many Arsenal fans – and a large number of our crowd falling within the FLINTA bracket [women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans, agender] – there’s a lovely crossover between Arsenal Women supporters and Bonanza regulars. Plus, my girlfriend plays football with Islington Ladies and introduced them to Bonanza for their team socials. That’s been such a joy, and really brought the football fan element into our rodeo!”
The club’s dedication to community inclusion is an integral part of its history. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Arsenal in the Community was launched in 1985 to uplift young people in North London, addressing social challenges and creating opportunities where few existed. This commitment led directly to the foundation of Arsenal Women in 1987 – at a time when there were no formal routes for girls or women to play football – and pioneered girls’ football sessions in local schools, creating a youth training scheme that provided not only 5-aside skills, but also life and work qualifications, helping break down barriers for generations of players.
“Arsenal in the Community’s 40-year legacy has played a huge part in shaping the club into one that truly stands for inclusivity and connection. It’s not just about football – it’s about creating a sense of belonging, especially for people who might not always feel seen,” says Daisy Goodhand, a member of the Arsenal Women Supporters Club (AWSC). “That spirit really resonates with what we’re building in the Arsenal Women community: a space where everyone feels welcome, valued, and part of something bigger. AITC laid the groundwork, and now we’re continuing that journey, together.”
Arsenal in the Community’s 40-year legacy has played a huge part in shaping the club into one that truly stands for inclusivity and connection. It’s not just about football – it’s about creating a sense of belonging, especially for people who might not always feel seen.
Daisy Goodhand, AWSC
Founded in 2015 (and reactivated after the pandemic), AWSC is a fully voluntary, supporter-led group dedicated to strengthening the connection between supporters and Arsenal Women FC. “I’m always in awe of what we’ve built through the Arsenal Women Supporters Club – a genuine community, a space where people feel like they belong,” Daisy shares. “One moment that really brought that home was in Lisbon, after that incredible Champions League win [in May]. We all found ourselves gathered on Pink Street – hundreds, maybe even thousands – singing, dancing, just celebrating together. In the middle of all the chaos and joy, I spotted Farah from the Supporters Club, and we just looked at each other with this shared ‘wow’ moment. It hit us: this is what all the hard work has been for. That surreal feeling, that connection. It made everything worth it.”
The Gay Gooners banner is proudly on display at every home game – I couldn’t think of a better way to signal that we are part of the Arsenal family and we belong here just as much as any other fan.
Jacob Jefferson, Gay Gooners co-chair
Today, Arsenal’s commitment to community inclusion is as strong as ever, with a diverse and thriving fanbase that celebrates the club’s LGBTQIA+ supporters. The Gay Gooners, the UK’s largest LGBTQIA+ football supporters group, play a vital role in this. “Arsenal has always made an effort to uplift voices from those who may be vulnerable or underrepresented, and the work the club does in the community is truly inspirational and has a genuine impact on the lives of young people,” says Jacob Jefferson, co-chair of the group. “The Gay Gooners banner is proudly on display at every home game – I couldn’t think of a better way to signal that we are part of the Arsenal family and we belong here just as much as any other fan.”
For this year’s Pride in London, the Gay Gooners marched alongside their specially designed Pride float at the parade, a vibrant testament to the growing visibility and celebration of LGBTQIA+ supporters within football culture.
Robyn Gunn, a pillar of the fan community who also attended the Pride float, has seen the impact that groups like AWSC and Gay Gooners have directly from the Emirates stands. “Over the last few years, I’ve seen so many communities and groups pop up, celebrating being an Arsenal supporter and being part of the LGBTQIA+ crowd,” she says. “To have space for people who might not know how to get involved has been such a game changer. We are seeing the demographic of supporters at the games constantly evolving. Even being in the stands feels different with Arsenal, in the best way possible – I wish I had this space when I was younger, but I am so glad that our younger generation can take it all in, with open arms.”
On the pitch, Arsenal Women have led the way in inclusion, visibility, and sporting excellence. Since being founded by Vic Akers, the women’s team has played a defining role in shaping the modern game – lifting 33 major trophies during his time in charge, including three domestic trebles and a landmark UEFA Women’s Champions League title in 2007, the first ever for a British side. That pioneering legacy continues today, with women’s matches at Emirates Stadium drawing record-breaking crowds and doubling as joyful celebrations of authenticity and solidarity. This ethos of inclusivity runs deep throughout the club – across both men’s and women’s teams, staff, and supporters – actively fostering a culture where everyone is welcome.
Not only do we feel seen, heard and safe, but it is pushing other clubs to start doing the same. Arsenal continue to be pioneers, and I can’t express how wonderful it feels to be a part of this journey.
Robyn Gunn
“Since stepping into my queerness, there’s now a whole new layer to my love and devotion for Arsenal. Thanks to the wider LGBTQIA+ football community in the UK, the stadiums – especially during women’s games – feel like such a safe and welcoming space to be with my partner and our queer friends,” says Sophie.
“What Arsenal are doing by celebrating their queer supporter community is huge,” Robyn agrees. “Not only do we feel seen, heard and safe, but it is pushing other clubs to start doing the same. Arsenal continue to be pioneers, and I can’t express how wonderful it feels to be a part of this journey.”
Across four decades of grassroots passion and game-changing legacy, Arsenal has shown that football’s greatest strength lies in community and connection. From local clubs to Champions League triumphs, the message is clear: every supporter matters, and every identity belongs. LGBTQIA+ pride doesn’t just belong here – it helps define all that Arsenal stands for.
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