‘Pride Match’ Celebration Proves Awkward for Iran-Egypt Game in Seattle
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Bookda Gheisar, a 60-year-old gay woman from Tehran, was eager to attend Iran’s World Cup match against Egypt in Seattle, despite the controversy over the game being designated as the “Pride Match” during Pride Month.
- Both Iran and Egypt, where homosexuality is illegal, opposed the Seattle organizing committee’s Pride designation and lobbied FIFA to prevent any overt Pride celebrations at the game.
- FIFA stated it had no role in the Pride Match designation and allowed general human rights expressions, including rainbow flags, inside venues, aiming to balance the teams’ concerns with local organizers’ intentions.
- Gheisar emphasized the importance of respecting the host city’s culture and traditions of visibility and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community, drawing parallels to the 2022 Qatar World Cup’s cultural sensitivities.
