Seattle 'Pride Match' moves forward despite objections from Iran, Egypt
· Yahoo Sports
The World Cup soccer match between Iran and Egypt in Seattle Friday, July 26 has created tension, which was captured the day before the scheduled kickoff.
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A woman born and raised in Iran made a public statement that once could have gotten her jailed, or worse.
“My name is Bookda Gheisar and in my professional life I work at the Port of Seattle,’’ she said, “and for my personal life I am an Iranian American lesbian who's worked in Seattle for over 30 years…
“I came to the US as a young person and came out as a lesbian about four decades ago.’’
Gheisar spoke at a press conference hosted by SeattleFWC26, the local organizing committee for the World Cup involved in more than soccer.
Same-sex relationships are illegal in Iran and homosexuality is treated illegal in Egypt. Their soccer match will coincide with the start of the annual Seattle Pride Weekend that started more than 50 years ago.
The match between Iran and Egypt will also coincide with Seattle's “Pride Match,’’ which organizers describe as an opportunity to showcase LGBTQ+ businesses and artists, according to the Seattle Times. SeattleFWC26 helped organize the event that has not gone over well with officials from Egypt and Iran.
The two countries demanded that FIFA block or relocate the Pride Weekend activities. FIFA refused and so the teams will play at Lumen Stadium, where spectators will be allowed to bring rainbow flags and kickoff is set for 11 p.m. ET.
Underway nearby will be “Pride Match,’’ what they’re calling the LGBTQ+ community festivities to be held the same day. Gheisar indicated she’ll be participating.
“I'm not the only Iranian American that identifies as queer,’’ Gheisar said. “Certainly many people in Iran identify as queer…
“For me, pride is about joy. It's about celebration. It's about the understanding of the struggles past that got us here, but also about a commitment to advocacy and action to keep our freedoms moving forward.’’
What FIFA says
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has addressed the situation.
“First of all, I must clarify that there will be no ‘Pride Match’ at the (FIFA) World Cup,’’ Infantino told Swiss weekly magazine Die Weltwoche in January. “There will be a FIFA World Cup match in Seattle, and on the same day, events organised by external organizations will be taking place in the city. But that has nothing to do with the match itself.”
A FIFA spokesperson struck a different tone.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds,’’ the spokesperson said in a statement provided to USA TODAY. “Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at matches and events.“General statements of human rights, including rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity, are permitted under the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Stadium Code of Conduct and may be displayed inside stadiums provided they are used in a manner consistent with the code.’’
A spirit of welcoming
Nat Stratton Clark, a trans business owner in Seattle, said he does not expect members of the LGBTQ+ community to direct hostility at the Iranian or Egyptian teams because of how the countries regard gay people.
“It's a spirit of welcoming, and I think that's what this whole campaign has been about is that we are welcoming everyone to show how they pride,’’ he said. “I think it's going to be such a fun weekend and love that World Cup is part of it.’’
Watch parties downtown will include a barge on the waterfront and Pacific Place, a shopping mall with 50-foot screens.
“And it has created these incredible moments of community of people coming from all over the city and the state and the world coming together,’’ Clark said, “even if they don't have a ticket to get to watch the game and feel like they're part of it.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seattle 'Pride Match' set for same day as Iran-Egypt World Cup game