Local FIFA organizing committee ready to celebrate World Cup Pride Match

Seattle has been in touch with its queerness since the 1880s, according to research by the University of Washington’s Seattle Civil Rights & Labor History project.

Despite same-sex relations being declared a crime in 1893, Seattle’s first neighborhood, Pioneer Square, was dotted with openly queer bars that only increased in number after the end of prohibition in the 1933. Seattle is believed to have the first gay organization, the Dorian Society, which was formed in 1967.

When Seattle was awarded six FIFA Men’s World Cup matches in February 2024, the June 26 date was tagged the “Pride Match” by SeattleFWC26, the local FIFA organizing committee. It coincides with the last weekend of the month when the city’s Pride party culminates with a parade Sunday.

When the draw in December had Egypt and Iran as the nations playing the group-stage game in Seattle there was pushback. The Muslim countries criminalize homosexuality and petitioned FIFA President Gianni Infantino for assurances that support of homosexuality wouldn’t occur during the match.

SeattleFWC26 confirmed Thursday plans to celebrate inclusivity, love and self-expression outside Seattle Stadium will happen throughout the match. Speakers at a news conference in Pioneer Square encouraged fans to wear Pride gear to the match, support LGBTQ+ businesses and revel in the celebration that would be evident across the city regardless of the World Cup.

Under FIFA’s human rights and antidiscrimination policy, the spectrum of LGBTQ+ flags are statements of human rights and permissible under the stadium code of conduct.

“We live in a city that’s uniquely inclusive, even in the United States of America and we want the world to see that,” said Hedda McLendon, the senior vice president of legacy for SeattleFWC26.

FIFA had a similar situation when the quadrennial tournament was held in Qatar in 2022, another country that criminalizes the LTBTQ+ community. In protest, European countries planned to have their captains wear “OneLove” antidiscrimination armbands for their World Cup openers.

FIFA threatened yellow cards and fines if the players wore the colorful armbands and ultimately none did.

Egypt, Iran and Qatar are among 65 countries across the globe that criminalize the LGBTQ+ community. In the U.S., there are currently 664 active anti-trans bills working their way through legislation in 43 states, including nine in Washington.

Reign co-captain Jess Fishlock spoke of the importance of the Pride Match on Thursday. An out lesbian, Fishlock acknowledges the difficulties gay soccer players might face in standing up for their rights.

During Mexico’s final group-stage match on Wednesday, fans at Estadio Azteca chanted a homophobic slur that FIFA has fined and sanctioned the country’s soccer federation for not banning, most recently in 2023.

“The women’s game was built in a more open and inclusive environment, more so by its players from the very beginning,” said Fishlock, whose hometown Cardiff, Wales, held its Pride Cymru (celebration) earlier this month. “It’s very different in the men’s game. It’s a lot harder, honestly, to be yourself in that way and I understand. I’m sure I wouldn’t want 70,000 people chanting and abusing (me) and things like that. It’s something we’ll continue to work on as organizations. To create the sport to be a safe place.”

Activism is happening in Iran, according to Bookda Gheisar. The senior director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the Port of Seattle emigrated to the U.S. from her native Tehran in the 1980s and came out as a lesbian here.

Gheisar feels a mix of emotions by the Iranian national team’s treatment by the U.S. government, which is at war with Iran. Then there’s Iran’s discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.

She plans to be at the match wearing her Seattle Pride Match scarf that was designed by Seattle-based artist Kelly Bjork. One side reads “We Stand Together” in rainbow colors.

“There are multiple layers of complexities,” Gheisar said. “Moving too quickly to saying Iran is homophobic, Iranians are homophobic and they don’t want Pride. There are many of us who do want that, but also our country is in the middle of a crisis. These players are facing tremendous challenges and they’ve already not been welcomed into the country (U.S.). I’m trying to put all of that together for myself and bring the joy of the game. Celebrate them, celebrate the game and also celebrate myself.”

The focus for Egypt (1-0-1) and Iran (0-0-2) likely shifted from December. Both countries have the chance to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history in the tournament.

“Imagine how awesome it’s going to be,” said Leo Flor, SeattleFWC26’s chief legacy officer. “You’ve got a city engaged in a citywide Pride celebration. You’ve got Egyptian and Iranian fans with so much on the line for their teams. And those celebrations overlapping on top of each other is going to be an amazing environment.”