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Stonewall Lions FC Wins Gay World Cup in London


Monday 1st September 2008


British club Stonewall Lions FC has won the 2008 International Gay and Lesbian Football Association World Championships , also known as the Gay World Cup.


While there may be no openly gay pro footballers playing today, Brazilian referee Jorge Jose Emiliano dos Santos is very open about his sexuality.Image by Sergio Savarese.

Begun in 1997 in Washington D.C., the IGLFA World Championships give gay football clubs all over the world a chance to compete against each other, as well as promoting respect and understanding worldwide.

This year’s competition was held in London, with Regent’s Park hosting the preliminary matches and the final taking place at pro squad Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium in East London.

The tournament featured two Men’s divisions and a Women’s tournament.  The men’s division  1 was the top division, won by Stonewall’s team.

The final saw the English team take on Argentine side SAF(Selecicon Argentina de Futbol) Gay on August 30. Stonewall handily defeated their opposition in winning the championship match 5-0, perhaps making up for other England v. Argentina matches in past World Cups and avenging last year’s Gay World Cup defeat. Stonewall Lions had taken second place in the 2007 championships to Dogos of Buenos Aries in Dogos’ hometown. 

Former England and West Ham midfielder Trevor Brooking presented the trophy to Stonewall after their win.

Outrage! leader Peter Tatchell had predicted a Stonewall win earlier in the week. According to UK Gay News, he said: “In the gay football championships, the British teams have yet again shown themselves to be the best in the world. It’s great to see England’s gay team bringing home the trophies. Stonewall Lions FC have avenged England’s recent dismal performance against the Czech Republic.”

He added: “This championship has bought together gay football teams from across the world; encouraging more gay people to get involved in football and, through the spending power of visiting teams and spectators, benefits the London economy. It challenges the machismo and homophobia that is often associated with football in many parts of the world.”

Related Stories:

AC Milan Star Ronaldo Admits to Picking Up Three Transvestite Prostitutes
Young Lesbian Football Player Raped and Murdered for Being Gay
London's Top 4 Gay and Lesbian Events

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Thursday, 26 February 2009 12:31
Interesting! He is married and has two daughters and emphasises that his family background refutes any doubts about his sexuality. He openly admits to adding a bit of entertainment to his weekend profession, A rumour suggested he had died of AIDS in the 90s. He will be furious to read of that!

The video that is all over You-Tube is un-funny crap. The real (interview) video shows him at his best in a lurid pink kit, but I cannot find it anywhere since Virginmedia dropped it last week. Can anyone help?

Cheers JDM
Jon DeMassey