An international workshop at the World OutGames in Miami organized by the football anti-discrimination NGO Fare network will focus on homophobia in Latin American soccer this weekend with the aim of promoting international cooperation to tackle the issue.
Despite recent advances in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights across the region, homophobia is a feature of many sports events in Latin America, especially soccer.
The workshop will feature a range of international speakers documenting homophobic practices in Latin American soccer supported by findings of a monitoring system implemented by Fare in the region and consider specific solutions.
Speakers will include Rafael Villanueva, President of the Mexican LGBT sports organisation DIDESEX; Andrea Ayala, Director of the Salvadorian lesbian rights group ESMULES; Tom Conquergood, Director of the Seatle Sounders fan group Gorilla FC; and Fare Executive Director Piara Powar. The session will be moderated by Football vs. Homophobia founder Lou Englefield.
The workshop will be organized as part of the World OutGames fourth global LGBTQI Human Rights conference and will take place Saturday 27 May at 5.30 p.m.
The World OutGames has become one of the world’s largest LGBT focused sports, cultural and Human Rights events.