Toni Braxton's - The Rainbow Times

By: Dan Woog*Justin Fashanu isknown for severalthings. In 1981 hebecame Britain’s firstmillion-pound blacksoccer player. In 1990he became the first professionalsoccer playerto come out as gay.And in 1998 hekilled himself.In 2010, Englishsoccer is filled withDan Woog black stars. But JustinFashanu stands aloneas “the gay professional.”Little has changed in 20 years – and prospectslook dim for the next 20. International socceris a tough place, both physically and mentally.In hopes of speeding things along – or at leastmaking the soccer world less homophobic– a group called The Justin Campaign went towork.Their goal is to “challenge the stereotypesand misconceptions that exist around gay menin (soccer) and work toward a future where thevisibility of gay and bisexual men in professional(soccer) are both accepted and celebrated.”During the past two years they sponsoredtwo tournaments, for players of all sexualorientations. The Justin Campaign hosted anevening talk in Brighton, around the topic ofhomophobia in soccer. They played a prominentrole in the first-ever Pride Festival in Norwich– Fashanu’s hometown. They met withofficials of the Football Association, Britain’sgoverning body.Then, with a website (www.thejustincampaign.com)and some committed volunteers,they targeted a day in the middle of the soccerseason (and Britain’s LGBT History Month).They hoped clubs, players and fans around theworld would unite on Feb. 19, bringing communitiestogether “in opposing hate and intolerancein the world’s favorite sport.”The day kicked off in Norwich. The JustinCampaign’s own soccer team was there, alongwith Fashanu’s niece and the president of theNorwich club. Two members of Parliamentblew whistles to start the matches.In Liverpool, the Merseyside Marauders – agay club – celebrated. So did Edinburgh’s gayHotScots.There was a flashmob-style photo op in Manchester,organized by PrideSports and QueerYouth Network. Other events took place inSussex and Exeter.Internationally, the Justin Campaign spurreda match in Barcelona (with speeches from localpoliticians), while in Mexico City the TriGay Mexico team played the semifinal of theircity’s gay soccer tournament under the “Footballvs. Homophobia” banner.The Justin Campaign suggested that professionalclubs display the Justin Campaign logowith a message of support on their websites,put the logo on scoreboards during games, includethe logo and information in match-dayprograms, and post signs condemning the usewww.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 • 23The OutField: Fighting homophobia in the sports worldof homophobic language. But despite their efforts,the response from top teams was a pronouncedsilence. Not one player volunteeredto appear in a planned video campaign againsthomophobia.Gordon Taylor, president of the 4,000-memberProfessional Footballers’ Association (theBritish players’ union), responded to newspaperreports that players feared being ridiculedby opponents – as well as fans – if they participatedin the video.Taylor said: “Everybody assumes (soccerplayers) are full of confidence, but it is not easyon issues like this. Remember, there was a timewhen even black players did not feel they couldtalk about race.”English soccer is “a beacon of diversity withplayers from many backgrounds, countries andcontinents,” Taylor added: “It is unacceptablefor them to be subjected to abusive chanting,be it racist or homophobic whilst they play. Iapplaud the ongoing work in this area.”Peter Clayton, chair of the FA’s Homophobiain Football advisory group – and openlygay – placed the blame on agents and clubs. “Aplayer coming forward to appear in it wouldfeel he might ignite more vitriol,” he said.Closer to home, a similar campaign is gatheringsteam. Canadian-based “Speaking AboutSilence: Homophobia in the Sports World”is part of a broader-based International DayAgainst Homophobia, set for May 17.Its bilingual website (www.homophobie.org)lists a number of activities across the country– but only a few involve athletics.In New Westminster, British Columbia, theDouglas Students’ Union will speak to collegesports science classes. Members will also handout brochures, water bottle stickers and pins toraise awareness of sexuality and athletics.Across the nation in Burlington, Ontario, theHalton Organization for PRIDE and Educationhas involved local sports figures to attend theirInternational Day festivities. Manitoba’s CivilService Commission will host a lunch-and-learnsession on homophobia – and transphobia.Many of the International Day efforts arenon-sport-specific. Gay-Straight Alliances willhand out information, hang posters and conductseminars. The Alberta Teachers’ Associationplans to distribute posters and pamphletsto educators. Edmonton’s’ Institute for SexualMinority Studies and Services is screening“Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride.” Informationwill be displayed on the main floor lobbyof the Winnipeg Tax Centre.Individually, all this may not sound likemuch. But that’s not the point. Knowledge ispower.And who knows what Justin Fashanu’s lifemight have been like if – back in the day – he’dcome across just one of those posters, informationtables or presentations?*Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccercoach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks”series of books on gay male athletes. Visit hisWeb site at www.danwoog.com. He can bereached care of this publication or at Out-Field@qsyndicate.com.therainbowtimesnews.com • therainbowtimesnews.com • therainbowtimesnews.com • therainbowtimesnews.com