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Kicking homophobia in the grass

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

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ā€˜Football v. Homophobiaā€™ 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 worldā€™s most popular sport.

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

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

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. Fashanuā€™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 Ā£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 ā€œThe Damned United,ā€ famously referred to Fashanu as a ā€œbloody poof.ā€

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.

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

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

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. FTSCā€™s lead was short-lived, however, as the Achievers reeled off eight unanswered goals to take the match 9-2.

ā€œEven though we lost it was a great experience,ā€ said team organizer Dennis Fish, who found out about Football v Homophobia through Facebook. ā€œBeing able to play and be open about who we are felt good.ā€

Sitting with his team afterward at Freddieā€™s Beach Bar, Fish admitted to being nervous before the match.

ā€œWe play on Saturday and itā€™s a day when there are often a lot of kids around. So I wasnā€™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.ā€

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

MIXTAPE returns Jan. 4

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Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer are back with Mixtape. (Photo by David Claypool/Kalorama Photography)

ā€œMIXTAPE with DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Hornā€ will be on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10 p.m. at the Atlantis. 

This event is D.C.ā€™s legendary LGBTQ dance party. Founded in 2008 by DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn, MIXTAPE quickly became a staple of the cityā€™s queer nightlife, bringing together a vibrant crowd of music lovers, dancers, and everyone in between. Known for its eclectic blend of indie, house, nudisco, and throwbacks, MIXTAPE creates a unique, inclusive experience that brings people back to the dance floor time and again.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the Atlantis website.

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Bars & Parties

Ring in the New Year with Capital Pride

Rainbow Masquerade features drag shows, aerial silk performances

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There are plenty of queer parties planned for New Yearā€™s Eve around D.C., including one hosted by Capital Pride. (Photo by grapix/Bigstock)

Capital Pride will host ā€œRainbow Masquerade NYE Partyā€ on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. at 3400 Georgia Ave. NW.

There will be an all-night open bar, midnight Champagne, drag shows and aerial silk performances. There will also be dessert and midnight snack tables and themed photo ops. 

To get tickets and a discount (Code: CAPPRIDE for $25 off), visit Capital Prideā€™s website.

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Bars & Parties

Ring in 2025 with a World Pride party

Rainbow Masquerade to be held at Hook Hall

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(Photo by Masson/Bigstock)

Capital Pride/World Pride will host Rainbow Masquerade at Hook Hall,  a New Yearā€™s Eve party featuring drag shows, silk aerial acts, private lounges and the venueā€™s Hot Tub Cabana. According to Brandon Bayton, Capital Pride executive producer, “Step into the Fabric of Freedom and toast World Pride 2025 in styleā€”where every moment sparkles, every performance dazzles and every toast makes a difference. It’s going to be an amazing night!”

The party is Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Hook Hall, 3400 Georgia Ave., N.W. Proceeds benefit Capital Pride D.C. and tickets are available on Eventbrite.

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