The Mexican soccer world is notoriously unfriendly to the LGBTQIA+ community with a track record of fans using anti-gay slurs and chants in the stands. But the top league in the country is making a pretty significant move to try and change that and end the stigma against the LGBTQIA+ community.
For the first time, Mexico’s elite tier of professional soccer — the Liga MX — will now use a ball in Pride rainbow colors, in the final round of Clausura playoffs fixtures, known as Liguilla, starting Wednesday. The move is in support of the LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
“We begin the month of May, which commemorates the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, on the right foot, showing that by working together, we can eradicate the homophobic chant,” an ANADE spokesperson told broadcaster TUDN.
“Today more than ever, unity will make the change in Mexico.”
Obviously, simply using a rainbow ball will not change the hearts and minds of the fans in the stands or at home, but it is a strong show of support from those in positions of power that homophobia has no place in sports and that soccer is for everyone.
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