The 2024 Rugby World Cup in Paris and the 2023 Rugby World Cup target homophobia

Two major sporting events taking place in France in the coming months – the Rugby World Cup in autumn 2023 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in summer 2024 – take place this Wednesday, May 17, International Day Against Homophobia. , transphobia and biphobia, to reveal the mechanisms of their awareness.

“House of Pride” during the Games

Thus, Paris 2024 formalizes a partnership with Fier-Play, an association whose aim is to “act in particular in the interests of fair play, inclusion, equality and respect for people in sport, regardless of their gender, their sexual orientation, gender expression or identity,” their website says. These two organizations will open the 24th “House of Pride” during the Olympic Games. It will be “a place of exchange and celebration for LGBT+ people and their allies in 2024,” explained Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet.

“In Paris 2024, we are convinced that sport changes lives and is also a great tool to change mindsets and contribute to the fight against discrimination. As the organizers of the biggest sporting event in the world, we have a responsibility and we also want to use the visibility of the Games to promote this important fight,” he continued.

France 2023 presents “Rugby is my pride”

The organizing committee of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France has called its system for combating homophobia, transphobia and biphobia “Rugby is my pride”. The press release announcing it explains its existence in the following words: “The overview, made known to the world today by the 2023 Rugby World Cup, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all involved in this event, and more broadly , for all rugby associations or associations. to defend rights, to come together and continue to promote together, on the one hand, the fight against LGBTQIAphobia, and on the other hand, the values ​​of inclusion of rugby for all. »

An infomercial will be unveiled and then “broader broadcast, in particular in stadiums during Rugby World Cup 2023 matches or in rugby villages set up by host cities and metropolitan areas, and on the occasion of semi-finals and finals. from the Top 14 NRL. The committee also announces that it will take part in a pride march or “gay pride” on 24 June: “For the first time, official amateur and professional rugby sports institutions and gay-friendly clubs will come together throughout 2023. Pride march to showcase the values ​​of rugby inclusion and introduce the ‘RUGBY IS MY PRIDE’ programme.

On October 11, 2023, there will be a symposium on free will in rugby. “This day will provide France 2023 with an opportunity to speak up and organize time for discussion and debate on this social topic with French and international experts and institutions. This initiative, a first in the history of Rugby World Cups and major international sporting events, will highlight the fight against LGBTQIA+ discrimination and the importance of the role of rugby and sport in changing mindsets,” states France 2023.

Finally, on October 14, 2023, around the quarter-finals of the World Cup, an international tournament will be launched called the Rugby Pride Cup, “To enable players to be who they are, on and off the field. to show that playing rugby is not a matter of sexual orientation, but only of desire, passion and environment.