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January 06, 2009

British Soccer Stars to Blast Homophobia

Hoping to battle antigay sentiment in the world's most popular sport, the governing body of British soccer has agreed to fund a video featuring high-profile players blasting homophobia.

"After years of lobbying, the Football Association has agreed to approach top footballers to make an MTV-style video against homophobia," said Peter Tatchell of the gay rights group OutRage! Tatchell and his group have been pushing the association to take measures against homophobia among European soccer fans.

The association is now searching for an advertising agency to write a script and produce the antihomophobia video. Tatchell said his wish list of participating soccer stars includes David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We're pressing the FA to get this video broadcast on TV and at matches on the giant stadium screens," Tatchell said. "We also want the FA to put it on YouTube and distribute copies to every school in the country."

The pressure for the association to do something about homophobia heated up last year after player Sol Campbell -- rumored by some to be gay -- was subjected to a torrent of homophobic abuse at games. And player Ashley Cole was repeatedly tormented by gay-baiters at games throughout 2006. (Neal Broverman, Advocate.com)  

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: anto
    Date posted: 2009-01-06 5:46 AM
    Hometown: dublin

    Comment:

    For anyone who does not know Peter Tatchell, he has been at the forefrunt of confronting homophobia in the UK and EU since before I can remember, if you have some time yahoo him, he has a web site also and donations to help his ongoing work can be made direct to his site, Peter is a fantastic individual who never looks for awards or such, I am delighted to see his name in the Advocate and would say his commitment and drive is simular to that of Harvey Milk, although working to end homophibia through different paths and ways, anto


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