The International Day Against Homophobia in Sports is observed every year on Feb. 19, the birth date of Justin Fashanu, who was Britain’s first out gay footballer. Tragically, Fashanu died by suicide in 1998, and his complex legacy will also be remembered this week as he is posthumously inducted into the National Football Museum’s hall of fame.
In recent years, Feb. 19 has been a day on social media, particularly in Spain and Latin America, for football clubs to show support for LGBTQ rights and fans to start conversations about ongoing homophobic abuse in sports.
We’re all equal. 🏳️🌈 #DiaInternacionalcontraLgtbifobiaenelDeporte pic.twitter.com/MHUNOpOidD
— janelly farias (@janellyfarias) February 20, 2020
Valencia CF is one of the most notable teams in La Liga to commemorate the day.
🏳🌈 El @valenciacf, con los valores de la tolerancia y el respeto a la diversidad 🦇
— Valencia CF 🦇💯 (@valenciacf) February 19, 2020
➡ https://t.co/j4W333s902
Con motivo del Día Internacional contra la #LGTBIfobia en el deporte, el club reafirma su compromiso por una sociedad respetuosa 🖤#AmuntValencia pic.twitter.com/4PEtf6ybHw
Groups in Spain, such as Federación Estatal LGTB, have used the opportunity to raise awareness about growing trends in legislation that discriminates against trans participation in youth sports.
Existen varias CCAA que carecen de leyes #trans o #LGTBI pero también hay territorios donde sí las hay y son las federaciones quienes las incumplen, como en Cataluña, donde se está impidiendo hacer deporte a una niña trans de 7 años.#StopLGTBIfobia
— Federación Estatal LGTB (@FELGTB) February 19, 2020
NdP👉https://t.co/g9qK8IQMbp pic.twitter.com/086n9YiY4e
Uruguayan footballer Wilson Oliver’s career is also remembered by journalist Martín Rodríguez. Oliver is so far believed to be the only professional player in men’s football in Uruguay to come out publicly.
En el video anterior, hablo del ex jugador uruguayo Wilson Oliver, único que se animó a dar el paso.
— Martín Rodríguez (@Tinchorgz) February 20, 2020
No le costó la vida, como a Fashanu, pero sí la renuncia a la carrera y la vocación.
El año pasado lo entrevisté para @GarraUY de @ladiaria.
👇https://t.co/2G93V0T6GE
Jesús Tomillero Benavente, notably the first referee in Spanish football to publicly come out as gay, posted on Facebook to call for further action against homophobic abuse in football and to classify LGBTI-phobia as a hate crime.
Hoy 19 de Febrero es el día Internacional contra la LGTBIfobia en el deporte, desgraciadamente aún queda mucho que…
Posted by Jesus Tomillero Benavente on Tuesday, February 18, 2020
