# Red Card Homophobia

Alan Gordon suspended three matches by MLS for using homophobic slur

steelwater — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:19:06 +0300

Alan Gordon suspended three matches by MLS for using homophobic slur:

MLS has suspended Alan Gordon for using a homophobic slur, making him the third player the league has suspended for using that word.

Ivan Rakitic homophobic and racist comments

steelwater — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:07:44 +0300

A year ago, FIFA fined Vlatko Markovic, president of the Croatian football federation for declaring that “there’s no way I could pick a homosexual player for selection”, and that “luckily, only wholesome people play football”. Have you shared a changing room with any homosexual players? What you you think about respect?

I respect homosexuals, but I don’t want that sort of person in the changing room. I wouldn’t leave a club because of it, because I respect homosexuals just as much as I do black people, fat people or dwarfs but if at all possible I prefer not to have gays in my life.

Source.

Thanks fuchsl for the link.

Thanks @Victoriana1978 for the translation.

lukkulaki: No to homophobia Standard de Liège vs. KRC Genk @...

steelwater — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:31:52 +0300

lukkulaki:

No to homophobia

Standard de Liège vs. KRC Genk @ Sclessin
April 16, 2013

Coming Out: Robbie Rogers, Homophobia, & the Beautiful Game

steelwater — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:34:47 +0200

During the last few decades, the international football community has witnessed great stars, triumphant glory, and magnificent victories. It has also witnessed great sorrow from deaths of players on the pitch to fatal car accidents, large match-fixing scandals and suicides. However, one topic has alluded conversation during these time periods and has only resurfaced in recent months in the community – Being gay in the international football world.

Being gay and coming out in public is something virtually unheard of in the international football community. While there is no doubt a decent number of players who identify as gay, bisexual transgender, etc, there is still a great stigma attached to being a sexual minority in the football world. “How would the fans react?” “What would their families think?” These are some of the questions wondered by gay footballers. Their anxiety and fear often keeps them in hiding; afraid of showing who they really are to the world. I recently asked friends on social networking how they would feel if one of their favorite athletes turned out to be gay. Mostly everyone agreed that their sexuality would not change how they feel about them. In fact, some even said that they would respect them more for standing out in a world that’s dominated by masculine heterosexuality. I also agree that as an LGBT supporter, I would support my favorite athlete(s) in their decision to come out openly.

The last footballer to openly come out to the media and general public was Justinus Soni ”Justin” Fashanu in 1990. Born in London in 1961, Fashanu made his debut with Norwich City in 1978. He played for Norwich City’s first-team, Adelaide City, Nottingham Forest, Notts County and Brighton & Hove Albion before moving to North America to play with Canadian and American teams in the late 1980s. Fashanu’s career unfortunately came to a tragic end in 1998 when a seventeen year old boy accused him of sexually assaulting him after a night of drinking while he was living in the United States. The local police in Maryland visited his apartment in April to ask him questions but did not make an arrest or search his flat. Fashanu panicked and fled back to England soon after. One month after that, on the morning of May 3, 1998, Fashanu was found hanging in a local lock-up garage that he had broken into. He left behind a suicide note claiming that he was already presumably guilty and did not want to further embarrass his family and friends. Also in the note, he proclaimed his innocent and insisted that the sex was consensual with the teenage boy. At the time, the age of consent was 16 in the state of Maryland. To make matters worse, American authorities revealed to London authorities in September of 1998 that they dropped all charges due to lack of evidence and had no search warrant or intentions of searching his apartment. This tragic story stunned the international football community and left many searching for answers. Fashanu left behind a legacy to date as the only English player to ever come out openly as homosexual and continue his career.

Last month, nearly twenty-three years after the first international footballer came out as gay to the public, US born winger and second striker Robbie Rogers announced his retirement from playing The Beautiful Game. Being only 25 years old, the international community was stunned at his announcement. Rogers was born in Southern California in 1987 and began playing his international career after one season of playing with the University of Maryland’s professional men’s soccer team. He joined Dutch side Heerenveen in 2006 but made no first-team appearances with the club during his time there. From there, he joined the US club Columbus Crew in 2007 and played with them for four seasons. It was arguably the best part of Rogers’ career, winning the 2008 MLS Cup with Columbus as well as two Supporters’ Shields in 2008 and 2009. In 2011, he opted out of a contract extension with Columbus and signed with English Championship side Leeds United one month later. He didn’t play very much with Leeds and had injuries throughout the first six months of his stay before making four first-team appearances with the club. He joined League One side Stevenage on a loan-deal from Leeds United in August, 2012 and played with the club up until January of 2013, making six first-team appearances before returning back to Leeds after his loan ended. Rogers and Leeds agreed on an announcement in which Rogers would leave the club based on mutual consent in January of 2013. During this time, Robbie Rogers also played for the United State’s Men’s National Team on and off again since the age of 18.

In February of 2013, Robbie Rogers announced on his blog that he was retiring from football all together at the age of 25. He revealed that he had something to get off his chest and finally wanted to free himself. He admitted in the blog that he was gay: “Rogers stated — “Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity. Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined”.

The outpouring of support Rogers received from the international community was welcoming. Many fans and teammates alike wanted him to continue playing as he is in the prime of his career at the age of 25 but respected his decision to retire from all competitions. Rogers admittedly used football as an escape to hide his true identity. But the fact remains is that his friends, family and ex-teammates all supported him and would have loved to play with him regardless of his sexual orientation. Perhaps it was anxiety and fear that made Rogers choose to retire instead of playing as an openly gay man. To date, he is only the second footballer to come out as gay since Fashanu in 1990. While I disagree with his decision to retire at 25, I understand and respect his choices and wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavors.

With recent homophobic attacks in Serbia and Russia, it’s no surprise that footballers are afraid to come out to the general public. They fear that their friends, loved ones and clubs will judge them for who they are and not how they play the game. They fear how their teammates would react to having a gay player in the dressing rooms with them. They fear how parents would view them while taking their kids to a game that they are playing in. Many of these fears are within themselves, but there is undoubtedly a stigma in the international community regarding gay players that must be erased. The time has come where sexual minorities should not fear playing The Beautiful Game as they truly are, openly and proud. The time has come where we as fans and supporters must be supportive of their choices and respect who they are as people and athletes. Wiping out homophobia and other prejudices from our communities is not an easy task and it takes every one of us to do all that we can to educate others about discrimination and try our very hardest to make the international game a positive and friendly environment where you can be free to be yourself above all else.

Written by @TSwan313. Originally posted here.

Lesbians will not represent Nigeria – Dilichukwu Onyedinma

steelwater — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:23:28 +0200

Chairperson of Nigeria’s female football,Dilichukwu Onyedinma, has announced that Lesbianism have been banned across all levels of female football in the country.

Onyedinma made the announcement at the Annual General Assembly,of the Women’s League body,stating such practice is being prohibited and that any player who is found culpable,will be banned,both from representing Nigeria.

“Any player that we find is associated with it will be disqualified,” Onyedinma said.

“We will call the club chairmen to control their players, and such players will not be able to play for the national team,” she added.

In the past,the Nigerian female teams have been rocked with allegations,that there were Lesbians in the squads.

Source.

Source: http://www.codewit.com/football-sport-news/6130-lesbians-will-not-represent-nigeria-dilichukwu-onyedinma

News Round-Up

steelwater — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:19:00 +0200

January

Footballer in gay magazine: it’s time to tackle the last taboo
West Ham United winger Matt Jarvis appears on cover of Attitude and says gay footballers should feel able to come out.

February

Robbie Rogers (Wikipedia)

Robbie Rogers: Ex-Leeds United and USA winger reveals he is gay
United States and ex-Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers says he is ‘’stepping away’’ from football after announcing he is gay.

U.S. Players Rally Behind Robbie Rogers on Twitter
Some of Rogers’ teammates showed their support via Twitter. (Continue the support by tweeting @robbierogers .)

Sounders FC Supports Robbie Rogers (video)
Members of Sounders FC send their words of support and admiration to Robbie Rogers.

FA offers support to Robbie
The Football Association has offered its full support to former Leeds United Winger Robbie Rogers after he came out as gay

Football v Homophobia toolkit backed by West Ham and England manager
The Football v Homophobia campaign has sent a toolkit to clubs guiding them in how to combat homophobia and reach out to LGBT fans and players, in a move backed by the England manager and West Ham team.

http://redcardhomophobia.net/

Who's up for writing an opinion post for the Red Card Homophobia site?

steelwater — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 20:37:32 +0200

We need people who would like to help with Red Card Homophobia. Not a lot to do, mainly spread news across the web.

steelwater — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 14:44:00 +0200

Rogers’ courage inspires Twitter...

steelwater — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 03:34:00 +0200

Rogers’ courage inspires Twitter support

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/15/respect-rogers-courage-inspires-twitter-support

svenbecks: Tweets for Robbie If you haven’t already done so,...

steelwater — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:31:00 +0200

svenbecks:

Tweets for Robbie

If you haven’t already done so, tweet at Robbie. This guy overcame a fear that haunts many. Giving him your support will no longer make this a fear. This guy has become a role model for so many people. The support he is getting is outstanding. Let’s continue supporting him.

His twitter handle is @robbierogers.

Robbie Rogers: Ex-Leeds United and USA winger reveals he is gay

steelwater — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:25:02 +0200

redcardhomophobia:

Robbie Rogers: Ex-Leeds United and USA winger reveals he is gay

United States and ex-Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers says he is “stepping away” from football after announcing he is gay.

Read More

Robbie Rogers: Ex-Leeds United and USA winger reveals he is gay

steelwater — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:24:03 +0200

Robbie Rogers: Ex-Leeds United and USA winger reveals he is gay

United States and ex-Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers says he is “stepping away” from football after announcing he is gay.

Rogers, 25, who was released by Leeds in January after a loan spell at Stevenage, is only the third footballer to publicly declare his homosexuality.

“I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity,” said Rogers.

“Now is my time to step away. It’s time to discover myself away from football.”

The Football Association said it would fully back Rogers, regardless of whether he continues his career.

The California-born player, who won 18 caps for his country, made the announcement in a message posted on his personal website on Friday.

“For the past 25 years I have been afraid, afraid to show who I really was because of fear,” said Rogers.

“Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay.

“Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined… I will always be thankful for my career.

“[Now] my secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on and live my life as my creator intended.”

Only two other footballers have publicly said they are gay, despite a number of high-profile male and female homosexual athletes from other sports openly discussing their sexuality in recent years.

In 1990, former England Under-21 international Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer in Britain to reveal he was gay. He took his own life eight years later, aged 37.

Swedish lower league player Anton Hysen, son of former Liverpool player Glenn Hysen, publicly announced his homosexuality in an interview with a Swedish football magazine in 2011.

Darren Bailey, the FA’s director of football governance and regulation, added: “Following the announcement by Robbie Rogers on Friday, the FA is trying to make contact with him offering our support.

“Whether Robbie stays in the game or steps away for a break he has our full backing.”

The FA last year launched a six-point action plan to make the game more inclusive, as well as tackling homophobia and transphobia.

Source.

Footballer in gay magazine: it's time to tackle the last taboo

steelwater — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:57:39 +0200

West Ham United winger Matt Jarvis appears on cover of Attitude and says gay footballers should feel able to come out

West Ham United winger Matt Jarvis has become only the third footballer to feature on the cover of the UK’s bestselling gay magazine in an effort to break one of the game’s biggest remaining taboos. The footballer, who is married, follows David Beckham, who appeared on the cover of Attitude in 2002, and Freddie Ljungberg in 2006. The magazine has been published since 1994.

In an interview, the winger said it was time that a gay footballer felt comfortable enough to come out. “It’s everyday life. It’s not something that’s going to be a shock,” he said. “I’m sure there are many footballers who are gay, but when they decide to actually come out and say it, it is a different story. It’s one that I’m sure they’ve thought about many times. But it’s a hard thing for them to do.”

In 1990 Justin Fashanu – the first black £1m footballer, who played for Norwich, Nottingham Forest and Hearts – suffered extended abuse after coming out. He killed himself eight years later.

The only footballer to come out since is Anton Hysen, a player in the Swedish lower leagues.

Asked about Clare Balding’s recent comments that being out could help a sportsperson’s performance, Jarvis said: “I’d agree with that. Because you’ve always got something you’re worried about at the back of your mind. If you can let that go and then just concentrate on your one goal, which is whichever sport you’re doing to the best of your ability, I think that would help. Definitely.”

Jarvis told Attitude that he thought times had changed and an openly gay footballer would receive the support he needed. “There’d be support everywhere within the football community, whether it be players, fans or within the PFA [Professional Footballers’ Association]. There would definitely be groups of people who would be supportive and help them through it,” he said.

Homophobia in football remains a stubborn problem, said Alice Ashworth, policy officer at Stonewall. “Our polling has found that one in four football fans think it is an anti-gay sport, while seven in 10 fans had heard homophobic abuse on the terraces. There is still a culture in the game that means being gay is not tolerated in the same way as it is in other professions and society at large,” she said. The charity works closely with the FA and the PFA following YouGov research in 2009 in which half of respondents felt key football organisations were not doing enough.

Matthew Todd, the editor of Attitude, said it was time football started tackling homophobia in the same way it addressed racism. “It’s ridiculous that there are no openly gay players in professional football,” he said. “There’s rightly been a focus on ridding the beautiful game of racism, but there doesn’t seem to be much effort to tackle homophobia. We know there are gay players – and fans who support the game religiously – so I hope this starts a discussion and is a small step in the right direction.”

Source.

Photo

steelwater — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:55:39 +0200

Former Sunderland player in war against homophobia

steelwater — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:51:19 +0200

FORMER Black Cat Kieron Brady is calling full time on homophobia.

Kieron – who now runs his own equality training business Celebrate Identity, Challenge Intolerance – has previously thrown his support behind the nationwide Justin Campaign.

Inspired by gay footballer Justin Fashanu, who committed suicide in 1998, the drive aims to highlight the problem of homophobia in the game.

But now Kieron has taken his commitment a step further, becoming a patron of Sunderland Pride, believed to be the first time a former footballer has accepted such a post with a gay rights organisation.

In his acceptance speech, the 41-year-old outlined the role he hoped to play.

“I hope I can contribute, even in a small way, to the ongoing challenges to ensure a more equitable society for those within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and to encourage others, regardless of their own sexual orientation, that prejudice, discrimination and hate crime against the LGBT community has no place in society.”

He added: “As an ex-footballer, I find it hugely disappointing that there has not been progress in my former field around the issue of homophobia.

“While efforts of late may illustrate a greater resolve to address the issue of anti-gay abuse within football environs, I cannot help but conclude such endeavours have a futility and are disingenuous if they do not co-exist with a determination to create the conditions in the daily lives of players, which would allow players to volunteer into the public domain, if they so desired, an acknowledgement that they are gay or bisexual.

“Throughout the last 20 years, football clubs have co-operated with such worthwhile bodies as Kick it out and Show Racism the Red Card, to combat the social cancer and scourge of racism.

“They deserve a great deal of credit for adhering to social responsibility.”

He believes the game could take the lead on tackling the problem in society – but not until players feel comfortable being open about their sexuality.

“I do believe the emergence of openly gay or bi-sexual players can, if managed in an appropriate fashion, be advantageous in terms of challenging homophobia in wider society.

“I look forward to the day when a footballer being gay is, inevitably, headline news.

“I do, however, long for the time when a footballer being gay is not news at all.”

“Prejudice and discrimination is, in the main, started by the intolerance of the minority.

“It is, however, sustained by the indifference of the majority.”

Source.

FA fines Liverpool's Suso £10,000 for Twitter jibe at José Enrique

steelwater — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 21:26:01 +0200

• Player calls team-mate gay for having teeth whitened
• Attacking midfielder apologises after FA warning

Liverpool’s midfielder Suso has apologised after he was fined £10,000 by the Football Association for calling his team-mate Jose Enrique “gay” on Twitter.

The 19-year-old last month posted a photo of Enrique having his teeth whitened with the comment: “What f*** is he doing? This guy is gay … he does everything except play football.”

Suso later deleted the tweet and uploaded the photo with a different comment, saying: “I dunno what to say …”

The FA on Tuesday responded by issuing Suso with the fine and a warning over his future conduct.

The teenager apologised on his Twitter page on Tuesday night, writing: “I’m very sorry if anyone has been offended by my comments about the photo of my team-mate Jose Enrique.

“It was only a joke between the two of us. I realise that my words were unfortunate and it was not my intention to offend anyone. I apologise again if anyone was offended.”

Enrique also took to the social networking site: “Is amazing how FA can fine my friend Suso Fernandez for a banter thing. Was just a joke!” he wrote.

The FA said in a statement: “Following an independent regulatory commission hearing on Monday, Liverpool’s Jesús Fernández Sáez (Suso) has been fined £10,000 and warned as to his future conduct for a comment posted on Twitter. The charge, which the player admitted and requested a paper hearing, was that he acted in a way which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute in that the comment was posted on his Twitter account and included a reference to a person’s sexual orientation and/or disability.”

Suso has become an increasingly important member of the Liverpool first team and has made 13 appearances so far this season. The attacking midfielder moved to Anfield from his hometown club Cádiz in 2010 and signed a new long-term contract in October.

Source.

guardianmusic: HOT CHIP’S BRILLIANT NEW VIDEO This video for...

steelwater — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:10:12 +0200

guardianmusic:

HOT CHIP’S BRILLIANT NEW VIDEO

This video for Don’t Deny Your Heart is apprarently inspired by the classic tourbus pursuit of playing FIFA for hours. It’s directed by Peter Serafinowicz, and the commentary is laugh-out-loud funny. CS

"Homophobia is racism and it is indispensable that we take further steps to look after all aspects of..."

steelwater — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:59:45 +0200

“Homophobia is racism and it is indispensable that we take further steps to look after all aspects of individuals living their own lives, including sporting figures. We must all work for a sporting culture that respects the individual in every manifestation of his truth and freedom.”

- Cesare Prandelli (via calcio-nel-cuore)

Anfield hosts first civil partnership

steelwater — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:12:00 +0200

Anfield is renowned for creating special moments – and that was certainly the case for one couple as Liverpool FC hosted its first civil partnership.

Reds fans Sarah McKnight and Christina Walls were joined by family and friends as they became the first couple to hold their civil ceremony at the stadium.

The couple are both members of the Liverpool supporters’ club in Colorado and travelled all the way from America for their special day.

Christina said: “We are just really excited. This is exactly where we wanted to be on our wedding day, we didn’t want it anywhere else, and we are just amazed to be here.”

After the ceremony was complete, the newly-weds were whisked off on a tour of the stadium - much to their delight.

Sarah added: “I have supported Liverpool for 13 years and there was never a question - it was always going to be here. I am just overwhelmed, overjoyed and excited.”

Liverpool conducts continuing work in the community against homophobia and recently became the first Premier League club to be officially represented at UK Pride.

Social inclusion officer Rishi Jain said: “It’s a big step for the club. We have always been proud of the work we do regarding inclusion and diversity, and to have the first civil partnership with such a lovely couple is really good.”

Source.

ccrayon: Liverpool FC today became the first Premier League...

steelwater — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 02:12:54 +0300

ccrayon:

Liverpool FC today became the first Premier League club to be officially represented at a UK ‘Pride’ event as the Reds took a stand against homophobia