Bars & Parties

Kicking homophobia in the grass

British footballers, or soccer players as they are called stateside, this month launched a

Published

14 years ago

February 23, 2010

‘Football v. Homophobia’ is a project of The Justin Campaign, a U.K.-based group that takes its name from Justin Fashanu, the only soccer player of prominence to ever come out as gay and who later committed suicide. (Photo by Colin Michael Schwartz)

British footballers, or soccer players as they are called stateside, this month launched a worldwide observance they hope will help eradicate intolerance in the world’s most popular sport.

Tolerance games, special tournaments, press conferences and even a flashmob match, all organized under the rubric of “Football v Homophobia,” were held on Feb. 19 across England and beyond, including Spain, Croatia, Denmark, Scotland, Mexico, and here in Washington, D.C.

“We identified some time ago that the prevalence of homophobia in football was not a phenomenon only experienced in the U.K.,” organizer Darren Ollerton told DC Agenda. “We felt that a day where people could express their disapproval of homophobia in football internationally would carry a strong message.”

Football v Homophobia is a project of The Justin Campaign, a U.K.-based group that takes its name from Justin Fashanu, the only soccer player of prominence to ever come out as gay. Fashanu’s career spanned three decades, from 1978 to 1997, and he played at the highest levels of the sport for teams that included Norwich FC, where he began his career, West Ham United, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest. In 1980 he won the BBC Goal of the Season for a spectacular shot against Liverpool, and the following year he became the first black English player to earn £1 million.

Fashanu suffered a downward spiral following his coming out to the British tabloids in 1990. He had difficulty getting signed by a team, despite brilliant play, his brother, a fellow pro footballer, disavowed him, fans heckled him at games and jeered him in the press, and he was harassed by fellow players. One of his coaches, Brian Clough, subject of the critically acclaimed 2009 film “The Damned United,” famously referred to Fashanu as a “bloody poof.”

By 1998 Fashanu had retired from his professional career and was coaching Maryland Mania, a professional team based in Baltimore that played in USL-1, the league just below Major League Soccer. He fled his home in Ellicott City after Howard County police alleged he had sexually assaulted a 17-year-old boy. Fashanu claimed the sex was consensual and charges were never formally made. Two months later, though, he would take his own life.

Fashanu’s niece, Amal Fashanu, participated in a Football v Homophobia event in Norwich, England, along with members of Parliament and leadership from Fashanu’s former team, Norwich FC.

“It’s a long road but I still feel that change can come,” Amal Fashanu told the Eastern Daily Press last week. “He would be up there looking down and thinking: ‘I did something good and because of me many other people are actually happy’.”

Federal Triangles Soccer Club organized the only Football v Homophobia event in America, according to Overton. Players from the coed soccer team FTSC Dixie Kicks donned event jerseys in their regular season indoor match against the Little Urban Achievers at the Fairfax Sportsplex.

Five minutes into the match, The Achievers slotted a shot by veteran goalkeeper Craig Grimm to draw first blood, but FTSC struck back late in the first half with a pair of goals from Becky Williams and Danny Schneider. FTSC’s lead was short-lived, however, as the Achievers reeled off eight unanswered goals to take the match 9-2.

“Even though we lost it was a great experience,” said team organizer Dennis Fish, who found out about Football v Homophobia through Facebook. “Being able to play and be open about who we are felt good.”

Sitting with his team afterward at Freddie’s Beach Bar, Fish admitted to being nervous before the match.

“We play on Saturday and it’s a day when there are often a lot of kids around. So I wasn’t sure if some of their parents, especially being in Virginia, would have a problem. But everyone was really great. Even the ref told us he liked the shirt and what we were doing. It was a great day.”

For more information on The Justin Campaign and Football v Homophobia, visit thejustincampaign.com. Those interested in playing soccer with Federal Triangles Soccer Club can find more information at federaltriangles.org.

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Bars & Parties

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New Year’s Eve 2024 at Lost Society will be at 7 p.m. at Lost Society. There will be unique entertainment all night along with a journey of the senses through captivating light shows and LED displays, music, and bottle service presentations throughout the evening. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

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QueerTalk DC will host Sapphic New Year’s Celebration at 8 p.m. at FigLeaf Bar & Lounge. The event will celebrate Sapphic, trans, and non-binary communities and feature complimentary hors D’oeuvres, a Champagne toast and DJ sets by DJ Clamazon and DJ Q. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

The Queers Upstairs will host Heels & Ties: A Queer New Years Eve Surprise at 9 p.m. at Aliceanna Social Club. This evening will be an unforgettable LGBTQ New Year’s Eve party where you can sip your favorite cocktails and enjoy small bites while dancing the night away with music from DJ Rosie & DJ Missy. Tickets start at $30 and can purchased on Eventbrite.

BuffBoyzz Gay-Friendly Male Strip Clubs will host a male revue that caters to men and women at 8 p.m. at Buffboyzz Male Strippers. The event will be an exciting, entertaining and sexy show of exotic male dancers in that will entertain your pants off. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

International Events Washington DC will host the 2024 Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala at 7:30 p.m. at the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. There will be free-flowing Champagne, an open bar, a spectacular balloon drop in the Euro Discotheque Ballroom and live bands and DJs. For dinner, guests can choose from an elegant sit-down, three-course dinner with Champagne or a dinner buffet of international cuisine. Tickets start at $189 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Social Architects will host the 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Casino Night at 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, Va. There will be six rooms of entertainment spread across three floors. The DJs will spin hip hop, R&B, salsa, Afrobeats and old school music. Tickets start at $60 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

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