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0 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil
- In November 2018, the Champions LiGay, a gay soccer tournament, was held in São Paulo.
© Reuters
1 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica
- A five-a-side soccer tournament for the LGBTQ community was held in San José, Costa Rica in August 2018.
© Reuters
2 / 57 Fotos
Kathmandu, Nepal - Players take part in a friendly match during the opening ceremony of the first South Asia LGBT Sports Festival, this in October 2012.
© Reuters
3 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - The Chosen Few are a South African lesbian soccer team.
© Reuters
4 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - A scene from the 2007 Gay Soccer World Cup.
© Reuters
5 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile
- National anthem time before the Chile (red) vs. Argentina friendly match in 2007.
© Reuters
6 / 57 Fotos
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Dressed in black are players from a Muslim team, facing up against players from a gay team in March 2006.
© Reuters
7 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - Bravus players pose in style during the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
8 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - Color coordination with mismatched jerseys.
© Reuters
9 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The Sereyos team out in full force at the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
10 / 57 Fotos
Kathmandu, Nepal - The game in Kathmandu is in full swing.
© Reuters
11 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - The Chosen Few launched in 2004, founded by the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW).
© Reuters
12 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Twenty-eight teams participated at the Gay Soccer World Cup in 2007.
© Reuters
13 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - Argentina's Elvio Mendez looks focused ahead of the team's game against Chile.
© Reuters
14 / 57 Fotos
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- This tournament was part of a conference on tackling discrimination against immigrants who come out as gay.
© Reuters
15 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The Afronte team attend the opening ceremony of the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
16 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - Posing for group photos during this five-a-side tournament.
© Reuters
17 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Team huddle for the win!
© Reuters
18 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - A San Francisco Spikes player goes for a header.
© Reuters
19 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - A gay rights activist performs before the match between Chile and Argentina.
© Reuters
20 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The AllyGaytors hamming it up for the cameras.
© Reuters
21 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - Wearing a rainbow captain's armband, this player stretches before a game.
© Reuters
22 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Unicorns are well-represented at the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
23 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - A player holds up training cones ahead of practice.
© Reuters
24 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - This player executes a throw-in while two men relax by the pitch.
© Reuters
25 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - Chile players greeting Argentina's coach, Nestor Gambella.
© Reuters
26 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - BeeCats players show off their moves during the opening ceremony of the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
27 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - Fighting for the ball as spectators watch on.
© Reuters
28 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The BeesCats hug it out after a match.
© Reuters
29 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - How about this for a practice run?
© Reuters
30 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - The Mexican team's celebration after scoring at the Gay Soccer World Cup.
© Reuters
31 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - Game on between Chile and Argentina.
© Reuters
32 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - A sweet view from "box" level.
© Reuters
33 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Keeping her eye on the ball during this training session.
© Reuters
34 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Players from London's Leftovers FC take in a match during a break.
© Reuters
35 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - Argentina's Juan Pablo Duarte (right) disputes the ball with Chile's Luis Retamales.
© Reuters
36 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The Bulls team showing off their confidence.
© Reuters
37 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - While there weren't official team jerseys at this tournament, a lot of heart was clearly on display.
© Reuters
38 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The Unicorns brought their mascot with them to the medal ceremony in 2017.
© Reuters
39 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Think you can keep up with her?
© Reuters
40 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina
- The Toronto Titans (white) face Chile's team at the Gay Soccer World Cup.
© Reuters
41 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile
- Pablo Canobio (center) of Chile being challenged by Argentina's Gabriel Monasterio (left) and Lucas Lopez.
© Reuters
42 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The Futeboys bringing class to the opening ceremony of the Champions LiGay,
© Reuters
43 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - An emotional hug during the tournament.
© Reuters
44 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The BeesCats and Bharbixas face off in the final match.
© Reuters
45 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Looks of determination on both of these players' faces.
© Reuters
46 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - The Royal Canadians goalkeeper looks on during a match.
© Reuters
47 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - A goal celebration for these teammates.
© Reuters
48 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - Players from the Unicorns team hold up placards of homophobic slurs they've heard.
© Reuters
49 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Ball dispute coming up in 3, 2, 1...
© Reuters
50 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - These guys are really into the game!
© Reuters
51 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - The Chosen Few feeling the burn. No pain, no gain!
© Reuters
52 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The Unicorns showing off some team spirit.
© Reuters
53 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Practice is getting intense for the Chosen Few.
© Reuters
54 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Bharbixas players celebrate after winning the Champions LiGay final.
© Reuters
55 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa
- The Chosen Few pray in a team huddle after practice.
© Reuters
56 / 57 Fotos
© Reuters
0 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil
- In November 2018, the Champions LiGay, a gay soccer tournament, was held in São Paulo.
© Reuters
1 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica
- A five-a-side soccer tournament for the LGBTQ community was held in San José, Costa Rica in August 2018.
© Reuters
2 / 57 Fotos
Kathmandu, Nepal - Players take part in a friendly match during the opening ceremony of the first South Asia LGBT Sports Festival, this in October 2012.
© Reuters
3 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - The Chosen Few are a South African lesbian soccer team.
© Reuters
4 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - A scene from the 2007 Gay Soccer World Cup.
© Reuters
5 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile
- National anthem time before the Chile (red) vs. Argentina friendly match in 2007.
© Reuters
6 / 57 Fotos
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Dressed in black are players from a Muslim team, facing up against players from a gay team in March 2006.
© Reuters
7 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - Bravus players pose in style during the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
8 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - Color coordination with mismatched jerseys.
© Reuters
9 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The Sereyos team out in full force at the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
10 / 57 Fotos
Kathmandu, Nepal - The game in Kathmandu is in full swing.
© Reuters
11 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - The Chosen Few launched in 2004, founded by the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW).
© Reuters
12 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Twenty-eight teams participated at the Gay Soccer World Cup in 2007.
© Reuters
13 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - Argentina's Elvio Mendez looks focused ahead of the team's game against Chile.
© Reuters
14 / 57 Fotos
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- This tournament was part of a conference on tackling discrimination against immigrants who come out as gay.
© Reuters
15 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The Afronte team attend the opening ceremony of the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
16 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - Posing for group photos during this five-a-side tournament.
© Reuters
17 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Team huddle for the win!
© Reuters
18 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - A San Francisco Spikes player goes for a header.
© Reuters
19 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - A gay rights activist performs before the match between Chile and Argentina.
© Reuters
20 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The AllyGaytors hamming it up for the cameras.
© Reuters
21 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - Wearing a rainbow captain's armband, this player stretches before a game.
© Reuters
22 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Unicorns are well-represented at the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
23 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - A player holds up training cones ahead of practice.
© Reuters
24 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - This player executes a throw-in while two men relax by the pitch.
© Reuters
25 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - Chile players greeting Argentina's coach, Nestor Gambella.
© Reuters
26 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - BeeCats players show off their moves during the opening ceremony of the Champions LiGay.
© Reuters
27 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - Fighting for the ball as spectators watch on.
© Reuters
28 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The BeesCats hug it out after a match.
© Reuters
29 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - How about this for a practice run?
© Reuters
30 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - The Mexican team's celebration after scoring at the Gay Soccer World Cup.
© Reuters
31 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - Game on between Chile and Argentina.
© Reuters
32 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - A sweet view from "box" level.
© Reuters
33 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Keeping her eye on the ball during this training session.
© Reuters
34 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Players from London's Leftovers FC take in a match during a break.
© Reuters
35 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - Argentina's Juan Pablo Duarte (right) disputes the ball with Chile's Luis Retamales.
© Reuters
36 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The Bulls team showing off their confidence.
© Reuters
37 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - While there weren't official team jerseys at this tournament, a lot of heart was clearly on display.
© Reuters
38 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The Unicorns brought their mascot with them to the medal ceremony in 2017.
© Reuters
39 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Think you can keep up with her?
© Reuters
40 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina
- The Toronto Titans (white) face Chile's team at the Gay Soccer World Cup.
© Reuters
41 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile
- Pablo Canobio (center) of Chile being challenged by Argentina's Gabriel Monasterio (left) and Lucas Lopez.
© Reuters
42 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The Futeboys bringing class to the opening ceremony of the Champions LiGay,
© Reuters
43 / 57 Fotos
San José, Costa Rica - An emotional hug during the tournament.
© Reuters
44 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The BeesCats and Bharbixas face off in the final match.
© Reuters
45 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Looks of determination on both of these players' faces.
© Reuters
46 / 57 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina - The Royal Canadians goalkeeper looks on during a match.
© Reuters
47 / 57 Fotos
Santiago, Chile - A goal celebration for these teammates.
© Reuters
48 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - Players from the Unicorns team hold up placards of homophobic slurs they've heard.
© Reuters
49 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Ball dispute coming up in 3, 2, 1...
© Reuters
50 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - These guys are really into the game!
© Reuters
51 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - The Chosen Few feeling the burn. No pain, no gain!
© Reuters
52 / 57 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil - The Unicorns showing off some team spirit.
© Reuters
53 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa - Practice is getting intense for the Chosen Few.
© Reuters
54 / 57 Fotos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Bharbixas players celebrate after winning the Champions LiGay final.
© Reuters
55 / 57 Fotos
Johannesburg, South Africa
- The Chosen Few pray in a team huddle after practice.
© Reuters
56 / 57 Fotos
LGBTQ soccer teams and tournaments around the world
When the beautiful game and inclusivity come together
© Reuters
Whether you call it soccer or football, the beautiful game is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. Yet for several minority groups, the sport uses prejudice as a form of gatekeeping. One of these groups is the LGBTQ community. But as a means of combating homophobia and transphobia, numerous LGBTQ teams and tournaments have been set up around the world. To see some of them in action, check out this gallery.
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