A hard if not an impossible job, sometime it feels like tilting windmills and I imagine that’s how it is in Russia for LGBT human rights.
To stamp out homophobia at soccer matches is going to be very hard. The game generates strong emotions and some of the matches are played in very homophobic countries that are not known for their human rights. Couple that with the strong emotions soccer games create and you have all the ingredients for violence.
Russian LGBT Sport Federation hosting conference in Moscow todayWhen we go out to protest or do advocacy we might run in to opposition but nowhere on the level of opposition as in Russia… it can be deadly there in Russia.
Supported by FIFA, the World Cup-inspired event focuses on LGBTQ inclusion in soccer and in Russia.
Out Sports
By Cyd Zeigler
July 11, 2018
The Russian LGBT Sport Federation will host a conference today in Moscow designed to further discussion in both Russia and the sport of soccer about LGBTQ inclusion.
Titled “Football — A Homophobia Free Game,” the international conference takes place at The Goethe Institut in Moscow. Sadly, organizers had to endure discrimination by both a local Holiday Inn and Radisson Inn, due to the fact that they wanted to bring an LGBTQ event to their hotels. That’s when the Goethe Institut stepped up to the plate.
The day features a lunch, a closing reception and these three panel discussions:Appearing on the panel about changing the sport with your story are two people from the UK: Premier League photographer Sophie Cook and English soccer referee Ryan Atkin.
- LGBTQ community and fan subculture
- My story changes football
- Legacy of the World Cup for LGBTQ community in Russia
- Organizers say the conference is supported by FIFA, among others.
“I hope that today’s conference is the start of a legacy that will see Russia begin to change and start a journey to being accepting of LGBT community and equality,” Atkin, who came out publicly last year, told Outsports. “My fears are that it will return to its previous ways once the World Cup finishes. That is why Pride in countries where we are equal are so important. To fight for our brothers and sisters.”
To stamp out homophobia at soccer matches is going to be very hard. The game generates strong emotions and some of the matches are played in very homophobic countries that are not known for their human rights. Couple that with the strong emotions soccer games create and you have all the ingredients for violence.
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