Footie For Freedom — The Euro for solidarity
For English Speakers
First, let us introduce ourselves. We’re Les Dégommeuses, a football team and feminist organisation that uses sport as a tool to campaign against sexism and homophobia as well as other forms of discrimination. As you know, there’s plenty of work to be done!
Some French speakers may have already read our editorials published in the French dailies L’Equipe and Libération denouncing sexism and homophobia in the French world of sport.
In 2012, we organised Foot For Love, a week-long event in partnership with Thokozani Football Club of South Africa. We invited a delegation of South African lesbian football players and activists to Paris to raise awareness about violence against lesbians. During their eight-day stay, we discussed the emancipatory power of sport and shared experiences and best practices to help strengthen and support one another.
The adventure did not stop there. Les Dégommeuses went on to produce a documentary written by a player from Thokozani FC, Thembela Dick, that tells the story of their club. The film is called “Thokozani Football Club: Team Spirit.”
And because team spirit and international solidarity must also take root here in the global North, in particular with regards to refugees, we are organising a follow up event for 2016: Footie For Freedom.
You can find all the news about this upcoming project on this blog:
Footie For Freedom here we come!
A bit of context
In 2016, homosexuality continues to be penalised, sometimes criminalised, in close in 80 countries around the world. Every day, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals flee their country to avoid prison, ostracism, violence or threats to their very lives. The flee in the hope of finding refuge elsewhere.
Unfortunately, setting foot in Europe does not guarantee safety and serenity. It is often difficult for theses individuals to have the persecution the have suffered due to their sexual orientation recognised. This in turn makes it difficult for them to obtain their papers. What is more, they are also often discriminated against in the receiving country because of their status as migrants and/or as a member of the LGBT community.
For the last four years, Les Dégommeuses has sought to encourage refugees’ participation in sport and to help welcome LGBT who have arrived in France fleeing threats related to their sexual orientation. In 2015, the organisation received support from Fondation de France, which allowed, among other things, to buy sports equipment and meet the costs of public transportation for refugees and other members of the team who do not have adequate resources. Footie For Freedom is thus part of a long-term project to better welcome these refugees.
Footie For Freedom
From June 3rd to 10th 2016, Les Dégommeuses are organising a series of activities that aim to raise public awareness about the life trajectories and living conditions of refugees, particularly members of the LGBT community fleeing homo- or transphobic regimes. On this occasion, a delegation of lesbian, gay and transgender people who have found shelter in various European countries will be invited to Paris.
This week full of athletic and cultural events held in eastern Paris, carried out in partnership with local and European stakeholders, seeks to celebrate the emancipatory virtues of football and to promote integration through sport in Paris and elsewhere.
We will soon be publishing the detailed programme of Footie For Freedom. In addition to a football tournament, the week will include a photography exhibit, film screening, debates, and more.
Stay tuned, we’re just getting warmed up!
Footie For Freedom is supported by Paris City Hall and FARE, an organisation that fights discrimination in football across Europe. Footie For Freedom is organised in partnership with “Les Lesbiennes dépassent les frontières” (Lesbians crossing borders — France) and ARDHIS. (Association for the recognition of the immigration of homosexuals and transsexual people — France).
