Latest news with #InternationalDayAgainstHomophobia
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Man Utd star Nemanja Matic handed ban after covering anti-homophobia sign
Nemanja Matic covered up an anti-homophobia logo during Lyon's final game of the season, with Ligue 1 chiefs coming down hard on the former Manchester United star Former Manchester United star Nemanja Matic has been handed a four-match ban for covering up an anti-homophobia logo on his Lyon shirt. The midfielder joined the French side 18 months ago from Ligue 1 rivals Rennes. Matic has been a key player for Lyon, even captaining them on occasions. He was brought on as a late substitute in their final day triumph over Angers, which helped them secure qualification for the Europa League. The final day was Ligue 1's dedicated period to show support for the LGBT+ community. The games coincided with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May. Clubs put a rainbow patch on their shirt sleeves, as well as a symbol which had the word 'homophobia' in French crossed out with a red line and 'football' underneath. Matic appeared on the pitch with a piece of white material covering the rainbow logo. The 36-year-old was blasted for the move by France's sports minister Marie Barsacq, who said: ' Football has a massive platform, and the (French Football) Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs' and supporters' agenda. 'Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There's a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied.' He was subsequently charged by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which governs French football. Their disciplinary committee have now confirmed the punishment, with Matic handing a two-match ban, with a further two matches suspended. He has also agreed to participate in an awareness-raising campaign on the fight against homophobia within six months. An LFP statement read: 'After hearing the player, the Commission sanctioned him with a two-match suspension and a two-match suspended sentence. 'Furthermore, the Commission offered the player—who immediately agreed during the hearing—to participate, within six months, in an awareness-raising campaign on the fight against homophobia in football, in collaboration with an expert association working alongside the LFP throughout the season with clubs and supporters.' Le Havre's Ahmed Hassan has been handed the same punishment after also covering up the rainbow logo on his shirt. Homophobia remains a huge problem in football, with Josh Cavallo, the first-ever top-flight star to come out, urging players to stand with LGBT+ people. 'The thing I would say to them is this could be your brother, it could be your mum or dad or sister who is experiencing this or going through this. To see them taking it away is bascially saying they're not included or accepted,' he told Mirror Football in an exclusive interview last year. 'So it is quite hurtful. They don't realise how impactful that could be to the LGBT+ community. It breaks my heart every time I see something like that. It's not on. If you're a football player, you have certain responsibilities. 'There's certain things you can or can't say on the pitch because you'll get sent off. There's things you can and can't do in the public right as a professional athlete. So doing that for me, is disgusting. 'It's just saying you don't like associating yourself with a certain group or people, which for me is my life. So, I find it quite disgusting. Everyone wants to be your friend, everyone wants to be an ally, but when it comes to the times we to speak up together, or need support, that's when we count on our allies.'
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
A great day to battle bigotry in Kahnawake
It would have been difficult to ask for a nicer day for an event than last Friday's sunny summer-like weather, making it the perfect day for Kahnawake Shakotiia'takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) to host its International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) outside the Service Complex. 'Today is such an awesome day. It's been a great turnout. We have beautiful weather, we have music, we have food. Everyone seems to be in very good spirits. I think it's been a wonderful event,' said Kyla Jacobs, KSCS's team leader of primary prevention. While IDAHOBIT was on Saturday, May 17, Jacobs said the event was on the Friday to allow schools to come by the event. Along with the Rezican truck, hot dogs, and drinks, were cookies that were LGBTQ+ themed, including different Pride flags, trans rainbows, and more – and all free of charge. There was also an educational component to the event, with KSCS booths that engaged with LGBTQ+ topics through games and trivia, as well as booths run by community groups from outside the community, including Jeunes Adultes Gai.e.s (JAG) and Project 10. Dawson Horne, a KSCS prevention worker, was in charge of coordinating the yearly event this year, doing so for the first time. 'As someone who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, it means so much to me that there's representation for Indigenous people who are part of this community,' said Horne. 'It warms my heart to see the amount of allies come out and to show their support in such a big way. It just means so much to me and to other people in this community.' Jacobs echoed Horne's sentiment in seeing the growth of support for LGBTQ+ events - and community members - in town. 'We have seen a lot of progress, but there still is work to be done, and we want to ensure that they feel recognized and included and supported,' said Jacobs. 'Kahnawake is a small community, but over the years, we've seen more and more support, and more and more people are attending events such as these. I just feel like it's such a great thing. We want to ensure a healthy community, and that includes everybody.' Horne said having outside resources come to Kahnawake to do some outreach was important for the event, to show community members who may need help that these organizations exist. 'We want to bridge the gap between the city and someone living across the Mercier Bridge, to make it a little bit easier for them to not only get knowledge, but to get services,' said Horne. Raphaël Leblanc ran the booth for JAG at the event, and they explained that while there are several different LGBTQ+ organizations in Montreal, that is not the case in Monteregie - it's just JAG, which has offices in Longueuil and St-Hyacinthe. They also said that outreach is important for JAG, as they are less known than other, larger Montreal-based organizations, and that JAG is not just for homosexual men. 'It's very, very important for us to so that we are known and people know that we exist and that we do so many different things,' said Leblanc. They said that that help includes referring people to other organizations if needed, or resources in their area that could help them on the South Shore instead of on-island, for example. Leblanc said that staying informed and well educated on LGBTQ+ rights and happenings remains very important, as bigotry continues to be on the rise in 2025, particularly online but also politically in places like the United States. 'One of the things that's been obvious is the rise in homophobia and transphobia, especially within younger men, and it often comes from these echo chambers online and this bubble of misinformation and disinformation. 'I just think it's important for us to have proper discussions on what is fact and what is feeling. Because I feel like today, we mix one with the other. We should be able to discuss it and to not have to debate if LGBTQ+ people exist,' they said, giving as an example the erasure and persecution of trans people in the United States and the United Kingdom. Horne said that no matter what, LGBTQ+ people are not going away, nor should they be forced to hide themselves. 'I just want to continue to reiterate that whatever is going on politically, whether it's good or bad, the LGBTQ+ community will never go away, and we're always going to be strong, we're always going to be loud, and we're always going to continue to love, because at the end of the day, that's all, that's all we want,' said Horne. 'We just want acceptance. We want people to see us as regular human beings that just exist in this society. We want equality.' olivier@ Olivier Cadotte, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Groups spend day to honour 2SLGBTQIA+ cleaning up around Finlay Bridge
The Prairie Pride Guild of Medicine Hat & District was joined Saturday by the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association for the second annual cleanup of Finlay Bridge and area in honour of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. The day, initiated in 2004, aims to draw awareness to the struggles faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals both close to home and around the world. The date, May 17, was selected to commemorate May 17, 1990, when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. To hold space for the date, the Prairie Pride Guild organized a cleanup of Finlay Bridge and the surrounding area. 'This day is, of course, to bring awareness to the discrimination and violence that the 2ALGBTQIA+ community faces, and so we just wanted to do something good in the community, give back and also hold space and raise awareness for those people,' said Kimberly Large, a director with the Guild. This year, they were joined by a number of allies from the MHSA, who pledged their afternoon despite the drizzle to doing some good in the city they call home. 'We are just so happy to be out here and support what the Guild has going on. We just came in as a support, we believe in what they're doing,' said Davie James with MHSA. 'We're collecting trash. We're going to go cook some hot dogs after. We're always super grateful when we see community groups in motion, out there making a change and really being a part of said community.' The turnout to this year's cleanup was significantly larger than the prior year, noted Large, and they hope this is a sign of things to come for being able to do their part in the city and to stand proud as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their allies.
HKFP
19-05-2025
- General
- HKFP
IDAHOBIT: Amid waning room for advocacy, Hong Kong LGBTQ groups cherish rare chance to raise awareness
Parts of Causeway Bay were transformed into a sea of rainbows on Saturday as the city's LGBTQ community marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Organised by NGO Gay Harmony, the event featured eight other groups, including an LGBTQ-friendly church and a small media outlet that focuses on reporting LGBTQ-related issues. The groups took turns giving short speeches outside the Sogo department store, while volunteers distributed flyers to passersby, from young couples to families with kids. Around the corner, at a booth run by NGO Pride Lab, passersby were asked to rate on a scale of one to six how LGBTQ-friendly their environment is. Metres away, people responded to a prompt set by Quarks, an NGO supporting transgender rights, asking how they took care of themselves when facing discrimination. They wrote their responses on Post-It notes clipped onto a board at the booth. 'Music. Make meals. See friends,' one note read. Another note said: 'Trans rights are human rights. One day we shall prevail.' Rarity in today's Hong Kong Events like Saturday's IDAHOBIT activities have become increasingly rare in Hong Kong, where space for advocacy has narrowed in recent years. Since the protests and unrest in 2019, followed by the Beijing-imposed national security law, dozens of civil society groups have shut down under pressure. While LGBTQ groups have not been specifically targeted, activists say it has become harder to host large-scale events. Gay Harmony founder Francis Tang said groups have had to change their methods of outreach in recent years. The last year the city saw a pride parade – which Tang also organised – was in 2018, and the group behind it now holds indoor bazaars to mark the date instead. 'We're not able to make as much noise anymore,' he said in Cantonese. One of the aims of LGBTQ events is to raise public awareness about sexual and gender diversity, Tang said. However, he acknowledged, 'There is a big difference in the number of people we are able to reach nowadays.' Gay Harmony organises activities to mark IDAHOBIT every year, but they scaled down the event in 2020. This year was the first time they invited other groups to take part. 'So far so good,' he said, adding that the process of receiving approval from government departments to host the public event was smooth. 'There have been no complaints, and the feedback seems good. We hope we can do this again.' Whilst same-sex sexual activity was legalised in 1991, Hong Kong has no laws to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination in employment, the provision of goods and services, or from hate speech. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognised, although a 2023 survey showed that 60 per cent of Hongkongers support it. Despite repeated government appeals, courts have granted same-sex couples who married – or who entered civil partnerships – abroad some recognition in terms of tax, spousal visas, and public housing. Visibility matters With AI-generated images of Jesus delivering marriage vows to Chinese-looking gay couples, the booth run by the LGBTQ-friendly Blessed Ministry Community Church (BMCC) was perhaps the most eye-catching one on Great George Street. Volunteers chatted up passersby, bringing them to their booth and walking them through an activity about the relationship between Christianity and gender and sexual identity. The activity involved asking whether they had any LGBTQ+ friends, and if they believed those who identified as LGBTQ+ deserved to be blessed by the church when they found love. Jensen Yiu, head of social ministry at BMCC, said the event was a good opportunity for LGBTQ groups to gain visibility and interact with a larger cross-section of the public. He said there was value in running booths on the streets and passing out flyers to passersby – something they would not be able to do during enclosed events like Pink Dot. 'People who go to those kinds of events are probably already pro-LGBTQ,' he said in Cantonese. 'But on the streets, we have different people and some tourists come over.' Breaking taboos Fran and Gu – who declined to give their full names – had just finished some shopping at Muji nearby when the booths lining the street caught their eye. They said they did not know this event was happening but wanted to check it out. Both said they were straight, but that they followed news about LGBTQ rights in Hong Kong. They also said they had friends who were gay or lesbian and whose families were not supportive when they came out. Fran said he thought events like this could dispel preconceived notions about the LGBTQ community and normalise different types of sexual and gender identities. 'People may find that what it means to be LGBTQ is different from what they thought,' he said in Cantonese. 'That can increase public acceptance and make these topics less taboo, removing their labels.' Gu said she was aware that Pride Month was coming up in June, but did not have plans to go to any activities. 'But I would stop by if I saw them,' Gu added. Volunteering with Pride Lab on Saturday was social worker Jacinta Yu, who was wearing rainbow earrings and a T-shirt that read in Chinese, ''No offence' is not an excuse.' Yu said she treasured the chance to talk to people and educate them on LGBTQ topics. 'Some passersby said they don't think homosexuality is right. I respect that they have different views,' Yu said. 'But I hope everyone respects each other and does not discriminate.' This year's IDAHOBIT comes ahead of the government's October deadline to enact a framework to recognise same-sex partnerships, according to a landmark Court of Final Appeal verdict in September 2023. Tang, of Gay Harmony, said he was not aware of the government holding any consultations to gather public opinion. He said the group had written a paper suggesting what a framework could look like, but had no channels to submit it to the authorities. 'Lobbying has become harder now,' he said. Original reporting on HKFP is backed by our monthly contributors. Almost 1,000 monthly donors make HKFP possible. Each contributes an average of HK$200/month to support our award-winning original reporting, keeping the city's only independent English-language outlet free-to-access for all. Three reasons to join us: 🔎 Transparent & efficient: As a non-profit, we are externally audited each year, publishing our income/outgoings annually, as the city's most transparent news outlet. 🔒 Accurate & accountable: Our reporting is governed by a comprehensive Ethics Code. We are 100% independent, and not answerable to any tycoon, mainland owners or shareholders. Check out our latest Annual Report, and help support press freedom.
Metro
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
The ban ex-Chelsea and Man Utd star Matic faces for anti-homophobia protest
Former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic could face a substantial ban after he covered an anti-homophobia message on his kit with tape. Clubs in France sported rainbow-coloured logos on their right sleeve on Saturday to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. But two-time Premier League winner Matic, 36, opted not to participate, instead taping over the message with a strip of white tape. Matic, currently playing for Ligue 1 side Lyon, came on as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win over Angers. Fans quickly spotted Matic had covered up the anti-homophobia message on his kit. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. The Serbia international had no reservations highlighting his protest either as he posted several pictures on social media from the game which showed the message covered up. Matic is not the first player to cover up an anti-homophobia message, with Monaco's Mohamed Camara receiving a four-match ban for his decision to do so last season. The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) hit Camara with a suspension as they said the Mali footballer refused to 'carry out one or more actions to raise awareness of the fight against homophobia'. At the time, France's sports minister called for the 'strongest sanctions' to be taken against Camara and Monaco. 'It is unacceptable behaviour,' sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera told French radio station RTL. 'I had the chance to tell the LFP what I thought about it and I think such behaviour must be subject to the strongest sanctions against the player and the club which allowed it to happen.' Mostafa Mohamed, who plays for Nantes, has repeatedly refused to engage in the anti-homophobia initiative. The Egyptian, who cited his personal beliefs as the reason he would not participate, has not featured in any of Nantes' matchday squads that coincide with the league's anti-homophobia initiatives. As a result he was left out of Nantes' 3-0 win over Montpellier on Saturday. 'Everyone carries their own story, culture and sensitivity,' Mohamed previously said. 'Living together also means recognising that diversity can be expressed differently depending on the person. 'I believe in mutual respect. The respect we owe others, but also the respect we owe to ourselves and our beliefs. 'For me, there are deep-rooted values linked to my background and my beliefs that make my participation in this initiative difficult.' More Trending Earlier this season, England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi wrote 'Jesus loves you' on a rainbow armband that was worn as part of the Premier League's LGBTQ+ inclusion initiative in association with the charity Stonewall. 'The message was just a message of truth and love and inclusivity to be honest,' Guehi said. 'I don't think the message was harmful in any way – that's all I can really say about that to be honest. 'I believe 100% in the words that I wrote – it's a message of truth and love, and I hope people can understand that my faith is my faith, and I'll stand by it for the rest of my life.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Queer travellers are boycotting Florida — but there are other ways to fight back MORE: Gary Neville makes final Premier League top-five prediction with Chelsea missing out MORE: Jamie Vardy next club odds after playing final game for Leicester City
