People outside Qatar are being urged to join a new LGBTQ+ fans group for the World Cup 2022 hosts’ national team – because it’s not safe for Qataris themselves to show support for Proud Maroons; “we have the chance to bring global visibility to my community,” says Dr Nas Mohamed, the world’s only out gay Qatari
Groups for LGBTQ+ people and allies who support England and Wales say FIFA’s letter asking 32 national associations and their players to focus on football at World Cup is “deeply troubling”; Pride in Football, the network of LGBTQ+ fans groups, also part of joint statement, which says ‘No Pride Without All’ is a more appropriate slogan than ‘Now is All’
Special guests Bruce Mouat, Robyn Love and Lloyd Wilson share stories from their experiences of being LGBTQ+ and out at the Olympics, Paralympics and in Scottish football respectively; Blair Hamilton, Zyra Evangelista (Rainbow Glasgaroos) and Ross Lockerbie (Glasgow Raptors) speak powerfully on grassroots panel
A podcast all about the culture of being an LGBTQ+ soccer supporter, LGBT FC has been making strides since its launch back in June; host ‘LAFCLuke’ is part of the MLS club’s Pride Republic supporters group; in this blog, he tells the story behind the pod and why he’s so passionate about building community…
Peter Tatchell posts video message saying he was “arrested and detained” by Qatari police following kerbside protest in Doha, though authorities deny this; 70-year-old was wearing #QatarAntiGay T-shirt and says he was “standing in solidarity with brave Qatari human rights defenders”; Tatchell urges FIFA to “press Qatar much harder to deliver on human rights”
Testimonies from lesbian, gay, bi and trans people experiencing persecution and prejudice within the World Cup host nation are being shared; however, influential football figures are yet to amplify their voices; theme of annual awareness day is ‘make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’
Participants encouraged to sign up now for Gay Games XI, which will be co-hosted in Latin America and Asia in November next year; only five sports – athletics, swimming, football, tennis and badminton – are set to feature in both cities, leaving some athletes with tough choices; Hong Kong says it is expecting 7,000 athletes and artists, and 25,000 spectators
Network, advocacy and consultancy group releases findings from its second survey; responses suggest industry is more LGBT+-inclusive now than in 2018 but several challenges remain, particularly for trans and non-binary employees; “strong correlation between LGBT+ visibility in the workplace and responsible reporting”
First round of Nike grants already having “huge impact” for seven projects in the capital supported by Out For Sport, which now has charitable status; Unicorns LGBTQIA+ Netball Club – about to celebrate their first anniversary – share success story and future plans; Out For Sport co-chair Vicki Carter says “we want to reach thousands more LGBTQ+ Londoners”
The Gay Games recently marked its 40th anniversary, just a few months after its co-President Joanie Evans celebrated a milestone birthday of her own. Joanie became an ambassador for Sporting Heritage earlier this year so in support of its annual event – and after a summer in which England finally brought football home – we asked her to reflect on her role in LGBTQ+ sports history…