How women’s kisses and shows of affection during the World Cup leave a legacy to expand LGBTQIA+ participation in sport
Women’s football only has “female males”. Who has never heard this phrase? The sexual orientation of athletes has always been a source of jokes and prejudices, but this edition of the World Cup has shown that sport has the strength to slowly change the scenario and break the taboo.
Several kissing scenes between the players and their wives/girlfriends were captured and shared with the message of love alone, and without the amazement tone commonly seen in sporting circles when it comes to same-sex relationships.
LOVE IS IN THE AIR! Sam Kerr celebrates with a kiss to his beloved Kristie Mewis the victory of the Matildas in the World Cup. 😘 pic.twitter.com/56OGGwL7YW
— NINJA Esporte Clube (@NinjaEsporte) August 12, 2023
If we look back a few months ago, at the end of 2022, at the men’s World Cup, the discussion on this matter was completely different.
Today, in Australia and New Zealand, we are applauding women’s kisses and the World Cup with the highest number of openly LGBTQIA+ female players: 87, according to a Reuters poll. And Brazil, despite being the country that kills the most LGBTQIA+ people in the world (one death every 34 hours, according to a survey by the Gay Group of Bahia), is the record selection.
But in Qatar the situation was different: the country’s laws provide for a crime for demonstrations in favor of diversity. And the World Cup, which could be an event designed to promote at least a reduction of this intolerance, passed through the country without leaving any legacy. Furthermore, for men, the football environment is still inhospitable: there is no room for a player who declares himself homosexual.
If we were part of a less prejudiced club, we wouldn’t need to celebrate this little progress made by women’s football, but unfortunately this is not the reality. But it’s a good thing that there are women willing to break all taboos, right from the start, to be today in a World Cup with the possibility of changing, albeit little by little, the scenario of sexist football.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
