No More LGBTIphobia!!

LGBTIphobia in sport and in everyday life continues to be a reality that limits, hurts, and excludes. It is not an isolated problem or a matter of “opinion”: it is a form of discrimination that directly affects the dignity, mental health, and opportunities of thousands of people. Eradicating it is not only a matter of social justice, but of coherence with the values we claim to defend: equality, respect, fair play, and coexistence.

Sport, in theory, represents self-improvement, camaraderie, and teamwork. It is presented as a space where talent, effort, and discipline are all that matter. However, for far too long it has also been a place where many LGBTI people have had to hide who they are for fear of rejection, mockery, or even symbolic expulsion from the group. “Locker room” comments, offensive chants in the stands, normalized jokes, or complicit silences create a hostile environment that contradicts the spirit of sport.

That is why days like today, February 19 — the International Day Against LGBTIphobia in Sport — are vital, necessary, and must grow louder each year. LGBTIphobia does not only affect those who suffer it directly; it impoverishes the entire environment. A team in which someone cannot be authentic is a less free and weaker team.

And let’s be honest: it’s not really a “phobia” (which, according to the Spanish Royal Academy, means an exaggerated, obsessive aversion or an irrational and compulsive fear toward someone or something). You’re not afraid of gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people, Pepe. That’s NOT it. What bothers you is that they are different from you. (And that’s something to reflect on and work through in therapy.)

A club that allows discriminatory attitudes loses credibility. Fans who justify insults as “part of the show” normalize symbolic violence. And that normalization extends beyond the stadium—to classrooms, workplaces, and the streets.

Something similar happens in everyday life. When someone’s orientation or identity is questioned, when harassment is trivialized or affection between people of the same sex is mocked, a clear message is sent: “you are not the same as everyone else.” And that message has deep consequences. Many people grow up learning to hide, to measure their words, to disguise their gestures, to live in fear of constant judgment. That emotional burden should not be part of anyone’s experience.

It is important to understand that equality does not take rights away from anyone. Recognizing diversity does not threaten the majority. On the contrary, it expands the space of freedom for everyone. When an environment is safe for those who are different, it is more humane for all. Diversity is not a problem to be tolerated, but a reality that enriches us.

In sport, moving toward the eradication of LGBTIphobia requires concrete actions: clear anti-discrimination protocols, sanctions for offensive behavior, training for coaches and staff, awareness campaigns, and visible role models who break the silence. It also requires leaders—captains, executives, public figures—to assume their responsibility. Words matter. Silence does too.

But beyond formal measures, real change begins in everyday moments: not laughing at an offensive joke, correcting a derogatory comment, publicly supporting someone who chooses to live authentically. Culture changes when small actions are repeated every day.

Saying that “we are all equal” is not an empty phrase; it is a fundamental ethical principle. We all deserve love, respect, and dignity. We all have the right to practice sport without fear, to walk down the street without hiding the hand of the person we love, to express our identity without fear of retaliation. LGBTIphobia leads nowhere: it does not build, it does not protect, it does not improve coexistence. It only generates pain and division.

Freedom is not a privilege reserved for a few; it is a basic right. Love should not be a cause for scandal or mockery. Respect is not optional: it is the foundation of any democratic society. And dignity is not negotiable.

For those who still do not fully understand why this is so important, sometimes culture can open doors that closed debate cannot. Reading stories, getting to know characters, immersing oneself in narratives that humanize experiences different from one’s own can change perspectives. That is why it remains a valuable invitation to explore the books Más Que Rivales (Heated Rivalry) and its series (on Movistar+ or online, if you know what I mean)).

Beyond the romance or fiction, what you find in that story is something deeply human: the struggle to be oneself in a demanding environment, the weight of silence, the fear of losing everything for loving, and the transformative power of authenticity.

Through that narrative, some concepts that sometimes seem abstract become clearer: freedom, love, respect, and dignity. We understand that behind every label there are real people with dreams, insecurities, and the desire to be accepted. We understand that no one should have to choose between their passion—such as sport—and their identity.

Eradicating LGBTIphobia is not a trend or an ideological imposition. It is a necessary step toward a fairer society. It means examining prejudices, dismantling stereotypes, and accepting that equality is not negotiable. It means remembering that sport can and must be a space of inclusion, not exclusion.

The question is not whether we are ready for that change, but whether we are willing to take it. Because every gesture counts. Every word adds or subtracts. And every person deserves to live without fear.

In sport and in life, true victory is not only about winning matches, but about building environments where everyone can play, love, and live with the same freedom. Open yourself to meeting people, their stories, their experiences… Everything is a learning process—and deeply rewarding.

So get ready to play and enjoy the best match of all: YOUR LIFE!