Gay soccer world cup 2007 in Argentina

The gay soccer world cup competition has begun today, September 24, in Buenos Aires, capital city of Argentina, for the first time in the tournament’s 16-year history being held on Latin American soil.
Earlier this year, Buenos Aires won the contest to host the event organized by the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) in a tough competition with Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Lima (Peru).

gay world cup logo The choice of Buenos Aires as a host city was not surprising. According to various experts, 10% of Argentine adults are homosexuals. Buenos Aires is one of the most gay-friendly cities in traditionally macho Latin America. It has become a gay tourism magnet and has also legalized gay civil unions.

This event is drawing teams from all over the world, including the United States, with teams such as the Philadelphia Falcons, Florida Storm, teams from San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles and international teams such as Village Manchester, London Leftfooters, and teams from Mexico, Toronto, Bolivia and Venezuela to name a few.

While some Latin American gay football teams have struggled to get official sponsorship (Soccer federations elsewhere in the region have not been so supportive), Argentina’s official soccer body, the Argentine Soccer Association, is supporting the annual event and providing facilities for the games.

“The players approach it with a lot of enthusiasm and strength. We’ve been preparing for a year and we want to win,” said Nestor Gammella, trainer for one of the Argentine teams.

gay world cup 2007 ball