Community Standards at Chelsea Pride.
1, Core Values.
Chelsea Pride's Core Values are the foundation of everything we do. Every decision made by the Community, its Committee and its members is guided by these values. By joining Chelsea Pride, every member agrees to uphold them without reservation.
We base everything on one simple question: does this reflect who we are and what we stand for? If the answer is yes, we proceed. If not, we do not.
As an LGBTQ+ Football Fan community Group, Chelsea Pride:
• Changes the experience of all fans for the better — we are here to make football more inclusive, not just for ourselves but for everyone.
• Is inclusive — every person, regardless of background, identity or experience, is welcome here.
• Is accessible — we remove barriers wherever we find them, whether practical, financial or social.
• Promotes equality — we believe in the equal worth and equal treatment of every human being.
• Celebrates diversity — our differences are our greatest strength.
• Develops community — we invest in the bonds between our members and with the wider football community.
• Educates and raises awareness of LGBTQ+ issues — in football, in society and within the Club.
• Overcomes intolerance and prejudice of any kind — we will never stand by in the face of discrimination.
• Works to change negative attitudes — through presence, through conversation and through action.
• Is ethical and sustainable — we act with integrity and plan for the long term.
• Encourages and supports enthusiastic volunteers — our people are our power.
• Always treats people with respect and refuses abusive or discriminatory language — in all spaces, at all times.
• Works positively and creatively to ensure everyone feels welcome — whatever their age, sex, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
A note on our Core Values
These values are not aspirational — they are operational. They govern how we speak to each other, how we make decisions, how we engage with the Club and how we represent our community in public. Any member found to be acting in a manner fundamentally at odds with these values may have their membership terminated.
2, Equal Opportunities Policy
Chelsea Pride is committed to equality in everything we do. This policy sets out our obligations to our members, our Community and the people we interact with. It applies to all members, Committee officers and anyone acting on behalf of Chelsea Pride.
Who Can Join
Membership is open to people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBTQ+) community, their friends, families and supporters, and anyone who agrees with our aims and upholds our Core Values. Membership opportunities are shared via our website, social media channels and email. ( Those who have previously been removed or have abused any member of Chelsea Pride pre applying will not have their membership accepted.)
Our Commitment to Equal Treatment
Chelsea Pride recognises that every person has a contribution to make and a right to equal opportunities. No member, organisation or individual to whom we provide services will be unfairly discriminated against on the grounds of:
• Age
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race
• Religion and Belief
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation
How We Promote Equal Opportunities
Chelsea Pride will promote equal opportunities and actively work to eliminate discrimination and harassment by:
• Opposing all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, at every level.
• Treating all members fairly, consistently and with respect.
• Keeping membership open to all who meet our eligibility criteria.
• Advertising all Committee vacancies to long standing members, with a clear equal opportunities statement in every notice.
• Recognising that all members have a legal and moral obligation not to discriminate, and to report incidents of discrimination against any individual or group.
• Ensuring our meetings and events are fully accessible to all.
• Giving due consideration to affordability when organising events, so cost is never a barrier to participation.
Our Commitment to Every Member
✔ To create an environment where individual differences and the contributions of every member are recognised and valued.
✔ To ensure every member is part of a community that promotes dignity and respect.
✔ To make absolutely clear that no form of unfair discrimination, intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated — ever.
Breaches of this Policy
Any breach of this Equal Opportunities Policy will be treated as serious misconduct and may result in immediate membership disqualification.
This policy is fully supported by all Committee officers. It will be monitored and reviewed annually. All new members will be made aware of this policy upon joining the Community.
3, Community Ground Rules
These Ground Rules apply to all members at all times — in meetings, in written correspondence and whenever you are acting in the name of Chelsea Pride. They are not optional. They exist to ensure our Community remains effective, respectful, united and safe.
Every member agrees to:
✔ Uphold our Core Values in everything you do — they are the standard against which all behaviour is measured.
✔ Do what you say you will do. Reliability and follow-through are acts of respect towards your fellow members.
✔ Be accountable for your actions and decisions. Own your mistakes, learn from them and move forward.
✔ Behave responsibly at all times when acting in the name of Chelsea Pride. You represent this Community and everyone in it.
✔ In meetings, speak one at a time and listen actively. Every voice deserves space and attention.
✔ Respect one another's abilities, energy levels and lived experiences. We each bring different things to this Community.
✔ Be ambitious but realistic — dream big, plan carefully, and celebrate every step forward.
✔ Be open and honest. If you have concerns or worries, express them — constructively and with kindness. Focus on solutions, not just problems.
✔ Trust one another, and protect that trust. It is the foundation everything else is built on.
✔ Respect confidentiality at all times. What is shared within the Community stays within the Community.
✔ Work democratically. You may not agree with every decision, but respect the process and the outcome. Challenge through the right channels.
✔ Address disagreements considerately and directly — never behind people's backs. If you need support in resolving a dispute, ask for a facilitator.
A Community Built on Trust
Chelsea Pride has always been, and will always be, a community first. These ground rules are not bureaucracy — they are the practical expression of care for one another. When we hold ourselves to these standards, we protect the space we have built together and make it stronger for everyone who comes after us.
CHELSEA PRIDE. Community Standards & Values Handbook.
This handbook is reviewed annually