Aberdeen FC is delighted to mark the close of LGBT History month by being the first club in the SPFL to announce the formation of a Fan group for its LGBT fans and their friends – Proud Dons.  

The club is proud of celebrating diversity with our Community Trust working hard to fulfil the vision of a club and community which is welcoming to all, regardless of race, religion, sexuality or gender. Previously the Club has supported efforts to show racism the red card and is committed to providing an environment where all supporters feel welcome and valued. Aberdeen FC is for everyone in the North East, and we want to see that reflected on match day and in the life of our club at large.

Proud Dons exists to provide a social group for LGBT Aberdeen fans and their friends to meet up and talk football, provide a safe and welcoming space, and campaign to kick homophobia out of our game.  This ‘first’ in Scottish football was launched by Aberdeen’s former Captain Russell Anderson and committed Dons fan Rev Scott Rennie of Queen’s Cross Church.

Speaking about the Club’s new initiative Scott said: ‘I am immensely chuffed to see this happen, and for Aberdeen to be the first club in Scotland to recognise the need to address homophobia in football and to back a Fan group for LGBT Dons fans and their friends.  Most of the big clubs in England have done the same in recent years, and it speaks volumes for AFC’s commitment to the whole community of the north east that they are the first in Scotland to do the same.  I hope the fan group will provide a great social forum for fans to talk everything Aberdeen FC, football, and make new friends among the Dons support.  I also think it’s important we tackle homophobia in Scottish football too, so that young folk growing up going to games, don’t feel awkward or like outsiders at their own club’s games, like some of us did growing up.”

It’s also great to have Russell taking a lead in supporting this initiative. He’s rightly a legend among the Aberdeen support, and to have his backing, representing the Club means a lot.”

Proud Dons can be contacted on twitter at @ProudDons, and also through their Facebook page: facebook.com/prouddons

RedTV coverage of today's launch to follow