Manchester Pride’s chief has urged bars and venues across the city to boycott the 2022 Qatar World Cup to take a stand against anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the country.
Mark Fletcher, CEO of the LGBTQ+ charity, pleaded for Manchester bars not to broadcast World Cup matches inside their venues.
Many fans have chosen not to travel to Qatar this winter due to issues surrounding LGBTQ+ persecution, migrant worker’s rights and the treatment of women within the country – as well as strict alcohol laws.
Fletcher said: “As well as boycotting the World Cup to send a message to FIFA, the broadcasters and sponsors that the lives of marginalised people are paramount, we are asking bars and venues to put people’s lives ahead of short-term profits and not show the matches.”
As England prepare to take on Iran in their first match later today, many venues across Manchester will be broadcasting the Three Lions’ first game of the tournament live.
Manchester’s Mayfield Depot boasts Europe’s largest fan park that can hold up to 6,000 spectators and many other venues are showing matches on big screens.
“By choosing to host the World Cup in Qatar, FIFA has demonstrated a complete lack of consideration for LGBTQ+ people,” said Fletcher. “It sends a message to the world that they don’t think LGBTQ+ people are, or should be involved in sport, and that protecting LGBTQ+ people is not something they need to be involved with.”
Homosexuality is illegal in the host nation and Qatari World Cup Ambassador Khalid Salman called being gay a “damage in the mind” just two weeks before the start of the tournament.
Fletcher continued: “By choosing to host the World Cup in Qatar, FIFA has demonstrated a complete lack of consideration for LGBTQ+ people.
“It sends a message to the world that they don’t think LGBTQ+ people are, or should be involved in sport, and that protecting LGBTQ+ people is not something they need to be involved with.
“We have put guidance on our website to inform and empower our community and allies to be able to boycott the FIFA World Cup in a productive way that can help support the global LGBTQ+ community and shine a light on injustices and discrimination faced day to day.”
More guidance can be found on Manchester Pride’s website.
Picture courtesy of Mitch Altman via flickr
