LGBTQ+ Advocates Urge Change in Mexico’s Soccer Culture
In Mexico City, LGBTQ+ advocates are urging soccer fans to eliminate a disturbing anti-gay chant that has marred the atmosphere during national team games. The chant, which translates to a one-word Spanish slur for male prostitute, gained notoriety during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Despite the Mexican soccer federation imposing notable fines, such as 100,000 Swiss francs (approximately $114,000) for similar incidents during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, these measures have failed to deter the chant’s usage.
Andoni Bello, an LGBTQ+ activist and former amateur player, criticized the federation’s inaction: “Those fines have been for nothing. And what has the federation done? Not much. And what it has done is useless.”
Urgent Need for Change Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
As the excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup—set to kick off on June 11 in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—activists stress the urgent need for change. Mexico is scheduled to host 13 matches across Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara, where the chant was first introduced during a 2004 Olympic qualifier between Mexico and the U.S. Since then, its presence has spread to stadiums nationwide, becoming particularly pronounced when the opposing goalie prepares for a goal kick, often coinciding with moments of frustration during the game.
Bello expressed deep worries about the underlying societal violence represented by such chants. “This normalized violence perpetuates homophobic hate crimes in this country,” he stated, emphasizing the responsibilities of fans and the wider community.
Despite initial efforts by federation officials who claimed the chant wasn’t aimed at the LGBTQ+ community, their subsequent measures—such as launching social campaigns and warnings to fans before matches—not only failed but also lacked efficacy. In a 2022 attempt to address the issue, the federation threatened to impose five-year bans on fans using the slur, yet these penalties were scarcely enforced.
Collaborative Efforts for Change
Bello firmly asserts that the chant has no alternate meanings other than being homophobic and calls for a fundamental shift in how people perceive sexuality within the realm of sports. Collaborating with Calma Comunidad, a nonprofit focused on sexual education, and the National Council to Prevent Discrimination, Bello hopes to initiate workshops for fans and teams ahead of the World Cup.
David Moncada of Calma Comunidad noted, “It’s a great opportunity to generate these small, big changes. Here we are resisting to generate or promote those changes.”
Bello encourages fans not to abandon their enthusiasm for the game, emphasizing that support for one’s team doesn’t necessitate derogatory language:
“I want my team to win, and I want the other team to feel the pressure. Of course, I’m going to yell and pressure them to make mistakes, but I don’t need to make homophobic comments. It’s just not necessary.”
