London 2012 sells badges aimed at the gay community

The Organising Comittee of the London 2012 Olympic Games is selling special badges aimed at the gay community as part of its efforts to make different sections of society feel included in the Games.

London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton says the pin badge, which features the rainbow flag and the London 2012 logo, fits in with the organisation’s aim to reach out to different communities.

Gay Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas urged people to “wear their pin badge with pride and help us achieve greater inclusion in sport”.

Deighton says: “Our vision is as bold as it is simple – to use the power of the Games to inspire change. We want to reach out to all parts of the community and connect them with London 2012. We also want to leave a legacy of greater inclusion and understanding of diversity.

“Our diversity and inclusion pin badge range, starting with the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual) pin badge, is one way of showing our support for a sporting environment built upon equality and inclusion.”

The badges will be on sale at gay march and celebration, London Pride tomorrow and are also be available from the London 2012 online shop.

LOCOG is planning to market further pin badges based around the issues of belief, age, disability, gender and ethnicity, it is understood.

This story first appeared on pitch