I Kissed a Boy’s Lars to speak at Football Pride 2025

I Kissed a Boy’s first trans contestant, Lars Fellows, will be a guest speaker at Football Pride 2025, taking place at The Y Theatre in Leicester on Friday 29th August from 10am - 5pm.

Lars Fellows joined the cast of I Kissed a Boy, series two

"Football and queerness are integral to who I am,” explains Wolverhampton-born Lars who is a passionate Wolves supporter and current player for gay and inclusive team, Village Manchester FC.

Organised by Football v Homophobia, the annual Football Pride event celebrates LGBTQ inclusion in football and brings together fans, players, and allies for a day of talks, performances, and community.

“This event creates space for us to belong, to feel seen, and to celebrate our love of the game,” Lars says.

Opening up on the the FvH Podcast, Lars shared details of his own football journey, recalling his early training with Stoke City, and the challenges he faced during his early transition, stepping away from the sport he loved so much.

At Pride in London this year, Lars was invited to join Pride of Irons – West Ham United’s official LGBTQ supporters’ group – on their float in the parade. It was his first experience of Pride in the capital and he says he felt “very honoured” to be a guest.

Despite growing concern over new regulations in England and Scotland that restrict trans participation in football, he also says that groups like Pride of Irons leave him feeling “hopeful” for the future, “knowing that communities and organisations like this do exist.”

In the West Midlands, groups including 'Pride in the Pack, 'Proud Baggies' and 'Villa & Proud' provide similar communities for local LGBTQ+ supporters of Wolverhampton Wanders, West Bromwich Albion, and Aston Villa.

Lars added: “A network like Pride of Irons… having that when I was younger, a group that I could have been a part of, might have helped me in my transition, and my journey of being queer in football.”

“A lot of LGBTQ people are still quite scared around football and I feel like it’s not really spoken about enough,” he explains.

“So this [event] also sends a statement to allies and people who may not be part of the queer community that there is a need for spaces for us.

“And for me, being out as trans and gay, I always love meeting people that share that love of football as well.”

Also appearing at Football Pride alongside Lars will be fellow I Kissed a Boy series two contestant Jordan Burrow, as well as a line-up of LGBTQ personalities and performers.

Lars hopes the event will send a strong message of solidarity and visibility.

“It’s a very special thing,” he said. “Football once felt lost to me, but now it’s a source of strength and pride.”

Tickets for Football Pride are available to book now, priced at £20 and include lunch. Attendees will also be encouraged to join a group taking part in the Leicester Pride parade, the following day, on Saturday 30th August from 12pm.