GLAAD, along with over 25 U.S. and international LGBT and human
rights organizations sent a letter last week to FIFA demanding concrete
action to address homophobia in the game and anti-gay chants yelled in
the stands. In advance of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022
World Cup in Qatar, GLAAD also announced a continued campaign to educate
FIFA and corporate sponsors about the standing anti-LGBT laws in both
of those countries.
"At a time when more of the world than ever loves the sport of soccer,
its biggest tournament, the World Cup, is starting to be known as an
anti-gay event and this narrative will only grow in advance of the next
games in Russia and Qatar, two countries with disastrous records when it
comes to LGBT people," said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of
GLAAD. "Networks, fans and sponsors do not want to be associated with
stadiums chanting anti-gay slurs nor do they want a situation like the
Sochi Olympics, which was overshadowed by the discussion of Russia's
anti-LGBT environment. GLAAD will be reaching out to FIFA and corporate
partners worldwide to bring change."
To see the letter visit: http://www.glaad.org/open-letter-fifa.
LGBT, Latino, faith and sports organizations that signed on to the
letter to FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter include: GLAAD, Human Rights
Campaign, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), The
Task Force, National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), The Trevor
Project, Family Equality Council, Transgender Legal Defense &
Education Fund (TLDEF), Women's Sports Foundation, GO! Athletes, Ben
Cohen StandUp Foundation, Inc., Br{ache the Silence, Federation of Gay
Games, FearlessProject.org, Outsports, Latino Equality Alliance, CODISE
A.C. (Mexico), Federación Argentina de Lesbianas Gays Bisexuales y Trans
(Argentina), Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, AM
Comunicación e Información (Mexico), Metropolitan Community Churches,
DignityUSA, More Light Presbyterians, New Ways Ministry, Religious
Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Seventh Day Adventist Kinship
International, and Nehirim.
During the 2014 World Cup soccer games in Brazil, fans in the stadiums
and at home could hear groups chanting anti-gay slurs at members of the
opposing team. Before the start of World Cup, GLAAD asked FIFA to speak
out about all forms of discrimination including that directed at
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Out soccer player Robbie
Rogers supported GLAAD's #StopTheSlurs campaign.
After investigating a complaint filed by Football Against Racism in
Europe (FARE) FIFA said the use of the anti-gay slur 'puto' was not
offensive in the context of a soccer game, which sparked debate among
LGBT fans and allies. In many parts of the Spanish-speaking world,
'puto' means 'faggot.' In countries where it is not specifically an
anti-gay epithet, it is a very offensive pejorative, which expresses
misogynistic attitudes. Conapred, Mexico's anti-discrimination agency,
has come out strongly stating that the word is offensive and hurtful.
After FIFA decided to allow slurs in the game, Univision read a
statement on air before and during the half time of the recent Mexico v.
Netherlands match that warned viewers that offensive language would be
heard during the match and reaffirmed the network's commitment to
supporting a World Cup that is safe for all. ESPN also spoke about the
controversy around the slurs on-air. To see their statements visit: http://www.glaad.org/blog/univision-speaks-out-against-anti-gay-slurs-and-voices-solidarity-lgbt-fans-during-world-cup.
The 2018 World Cup is planned to be held in Sochi, Russia, which has
come under heavy criticism since the Olympics and after Russia passed an
"anti-propaganda" law that is silencing LGBT citizens and promoting
violence against them. Additionally, the 2022 World Cup is scheduled to
be held in Qatar, where being gay is illegal and LGBT people can be
imprisoned. When FIFA President Sepp Blatter was asked about Qatar's
anti-LGBT laws, his response was to laugh and state that LGBT fans who
plan to attend should “refrain from sexual activity.” He later
apologized for his flippant comments.
"Sports and international sporting events are a way to unite people
around the world. Allowing hate and hate speech to be part of the games
flies in the face of what tournaments like World Cup stand for," Ellis
said. "LGBT people, and our family members and friends want to attend
events like World Cup, but won't be joining when the celebration doesn't
welcome us."