NEWSFLASH(MOB): Protest Homophobia at Women’s Soccer World Cup

As we in the U.S. celebrate our women’s national soccer team’s advancement to the semifinals at the World Cup tomorrow in Germany, the international gay rights pressure group AllOut.org reminds us to keep speaking out against homophobia in the sport. Specifically, it’s time to step up the pressure against Nigerian women’s coach Eucharia Uche, who, as we reported on the Ms. Blog, has kicked women off the team for their perceived lesbian orientation.

AllOut is asking FIFA, the international soccer governing body, to “publicly condemn this systematic discrimination, investigate the harassment, and take the necessary steps to end homophobia in the league.” The group wants FIFA to suspend any FIFA coaches who violate their players’ civil rights. Said [PDF] Andre Banks, co-founder of AllOut.org,

It is time for FIFA to finally cry foul and give Coach Uche the red card, sending a strong message that discrimination against lesbian and gay players will not be tolerated on or off the field.

To make the point even more visibly, tomorrow at 7 p.m. (Frankfurt time), a 100-person-strong flashmob dressed as soccer referees and carrying red cards reading “homophobia no”  will appear at the S-Bahn station in front of the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt. That’s where Sweden will play Japan in one of the two semifinals (USA plays France in Monchengladbach).

Although it took too many years, homophobic Penn State coach Rene Portland was finally kicked out of women’s collegiate basketball. Eucharia Uche, you’re next to go.

Map of World Cup playing sites in Germany from Wikimedia Commons

About

The late Michele Kort—a dedicated feminist—was the senior editor of Ms. magazine for 13 years. She died June 26, 2015, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She worked for decades in field of journalism, covering sports, music, culture, art and feminist issues for publications like LA Weekly, The Advocate, Shape, Redbook, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Songwriter, InStyle, Living Fit, Fit Pregnancy, Vegetarian Times, Fitness, UCLA Magazine, Women's Sports and Fitness and more. She is the author of four books, including a biography of singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro. Rest in power, Michele.