England Lacrosse supports annual Rainbow Laces Day
England Lacrosse is proud to be supporting the 2026 Rainbow Laces Day on Thursday 8 October, a day of action bringing people together to create sporting and movement spaces where LGBTQ+ people know they belong.
Organised by LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, Rainbow Laces Day is in its 24th year after beginning in 2013 as the “Right Behind Gay Footballers” initiative.
The following year, the campaign was rebranded as Rainbow Laces Day and since then over a million people have worn the symbolic rainbow laces to challenge homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in sports.
With World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10 October, Rainbow Laces Day is strategically placed with a recent YouGov survey finding that 76% of people identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community have experienced, or are currently experiencing, mental ill-health, compared to 44% of ‘all’ respondents.
At the same time, three times as many LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination whilst exercising.
How can I get involved?
Clubs & Teams
Help make your club a place where every LGBTQ+ person knows they belong.
Purchase some Rainbow Laces, or pass on the link so your team can order their own (all profits go directly to funding Stonewall’s policy and campaigning work!)
Plan an activity: Host a beginner-friendly session, invite new participants to try your sport, or dedicate a training session to Rainbow Laces Day and get everyone to wear their laces.
Share photos online! Spreading the word online about LGBTQ+ inclusion makes a huge difference. Take lots of photos in your laces and don’t forget to use the hashtag #RainbowLacesDay and tag @Stonewalluk.
Individuals
Try something new this World Mental Health Day!
SMASH Mind & Body and Stonewall are teaming up to bring you a special live online workout celebrating movement and Pride this World Mental Health Day. Join Sam and Ash on Saturday 10 October at 9.30am for a fun, Pride-themed workout packed with the anthems you know and love!
Whether you’re joining from your living room, garden, local park or gym, there’s no pressure and no expectation. Sam and Ash will offer different options throughout the session, so you can make the workout work for you and your fitness level.
Workplaces
Host a wellbeing walk with your colleagues to mark Rainbow Laces Day.
This is a chance for Employee Resource Groups to lace up and walk together: building connections, boosting wellbeing, sparking conversations and raising money for a good cause.
Pick a date and spread the word
Get everyone involved
Order your rainbow laces
Map a 20-30 minute route
Walk together!
For more information about Rainbow Laces Day 2026, click HERE.