Germany's first openly gay professional football player calls on Chancellor Merkel to denounce Anti-Gay Laws in Ukraine during Euro 2012

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Marcus Urban

Germany's first openly gay professional footballer has called on Chancellor Angela Merkel to denounce Anti-Gay Laws in Ukraine during the Euro 2012 football championships.

Marcus Urban, a former East German footballer who played for second division team Rot-Weiß Erfurt in the 1990s, came out as a gay man at a time when being a gay footballer was almost unheard of. He is urging Angela Merkel to use the Euro 2012 championships to denounce human rights violations and the anti-gay crackdowns happening now in Ukraine.

Olena Shevchenko, chair of the Ukranian LGBT orgnisations 'Insight' said:

"We just learned that the anti-gay law is now scheduled for vote in two weeks."

The new law will make it illegal for anyone in Ukraine to say the word 'gay' in public. This anti-gay law - Law 8711 - is presently advancing through the Ukrainian Parliament, with no public opposition from the highest level of the Ukrainian authorities.

The letter from Marcus Urban and signed by almost 20,000 members of the campaigning website 'All Out' reads: 

"Chancellor Merkel, as Ukraine's key trade partner, you should give Yanukovych a 'red card' by refusing to attend this month's Euro Cup and strongly urge him to denounce the laws in his Parliament that want to make saying 'gay' illegal." 

To view the signatures and comments from signers view:

allout.org/euro2012

Andre Banks co-founder of AllOut.org, said:

"Germany is a key partner for the Ukraine within the European Union and has a huge influence on the country".

"If Chancellor Angela Merkel follows the lead of French officials and also boycotts Euro 2012, it will make headlines everywhere and pressure Yanukovych to finally denounce the laws in his Parliament that want to make saying 'gay' illegal."

72,000 people have joined All Out in urging the President of Ukraine to denounce these laws in a full advert page published in the Kiyv Post last Friday. 

To see the advert view:
alloutorg.tumblr.com/post/24066981716

Antonio Cassano "apologizes" for hoping there are no queers on Italy team

in: http://gaygamesblog.blogspot.pt/

Nope, no queers here.

Cassano is indeed probably sorry that he provoked protests. Otherwise, where's the apology? And just how was he "misinterpreted"?

Italy striker Antonio Cassano has apologised after causing controversy by saying he hoped there were no homosexuals in the national team squad at Euro 2012.

In a statement released last night, Cassano said his comments had been misinterpreted and he did not want to cause offence.

"I sincerely regret that my statements have sparked controversy and protest from gay rights groups," said the statement on the official website of the Italian Football Federation.

"Homophobia is a sentiment that is not mine. I did not want to offend anyone and I can not question the sexual freedom of other people."

At a press conference yesterday, Cassano had responded to questions about reports in Italy which claimed there were two homosexual players in Cesare Prandelli's 23-man Euro 2012 group.

"The (national) coach had warned me that you would ask me this question," Cassano said. "If I say what I think...I hope there are none. But if there are queers here, that's their business."

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Using gay slur, Italian footballer says he would not want to play with gays

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/

Antonio Cassano hopes there are no 'queers' on his national team





At the Italian national football team's press conference at Casa Azzurri in Krakow on Tuesday (12 June), forward Antonio Cassano was asked about reports that there are two metrosexual players on Italy's team as well as two homosexual players.

'What's a metrosexual?' he asked.

But he was clear on what a homosexual is and added: 'Queers in the national team? That's their business. But I hope not.'

The comments were reported by UK's The Guardian which points out that Italy's national team coach, Cesare Prandelli, has been supportive of gay footballers.

Prandelli wrote the forward for a recent book on homosexuality in sports and stated: 'Homophobia is racism and it is indispensable that we make further steps to look after all aspects of individuals living their own lives, including sporting figures. … We must all work for a sporting culture that respects the individual in every manifestation of his truth and freedom. Hopefully soon some players will come out.'



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Gays pedem lugares especiais no próximo Europeu

in: http://sol.sapo.pt/inicio/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=12517

Um grupo de adeptos polacos de futebol que são homossexuais apelou à organização do Euro2012 - conjuntamente organizado pela Polónia e pela Ucrânia - para que lhes sejam proporcionados lugares separados.

O objectivo, alegam, é proteger gays e lésbicas de eventuais agressões, mas outras organizações LGBT já criticaram o pedido, dizendo que isso só fará aumentar o risco.

Gdansk, uma das cidades a receber jogos, concordo com esta última posição, dizendo que separar os homossexuais só aumentaria a estigmatização.

De acordo com o Independent, que cita a AP, a Teczowa Trybuna 2012 (Tribuna Arco-íris 2012) autoproclama-se a primeira claque gay da selecção polaca e diz no seu site que os seus membros temem agressões.

http://sol.sapo.pt/inicio/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=12517