Despite the fact that Spain is one of the most advanced countries in terms of social rights and that we have extensive legislation on LGTBIQ matters, thousands of people live their lives closed in on themselves without coming out of the closet, all for fear of what they will say and to public rejection.
LGTBIphobia is part of one of the three main causes of discrimination in our country and is very present in the day to day of all those people who put their lives at risk for having the ‘courage’ to be or love freely. In addition, the situation does not seem to improve. In the Report on the Evolution of Hate Crimes in Spain in 2022, a very worrying increase in attacks related to sexual orientation or gender identity was revealed, since they had risen by 67.63%, according to data from the previous year. .
One of the most hostile areas for the LGTBIQ community is the world of sports. From time to time, a footballer, a tennis player, a swimmer… comes out of the closet in an attempt to eliminate taboos, face their reality from the perspective of equality, support gender diversity and finally feel free.
While someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity shouldn’t make the news, today it’s still an act of daring for all that it takes to step up and be ‘different’. For this reason, coming out of the closet is always a reason for celebration and joy.
Yesterday, the tweet of Alberto Lejárraga, the starting goalkeeper of Marbella F.C., generated a lot of social conversation, since he uploaded a photo where he kissed his boyfriend and made public that he liked men.
Lejárraga has uploaded this romantic photo to celebrate the promotion of his club to 2nd REF and has managed to have a great impact on social networks, as well as in the world of sports and LGTBIQ activism. The normality and visibility that the athlete has shown when sharing the image show his strength and that he is not ashamed of being who he is, something really important in a society where footballers who have come out of the closet while active can be counted on the fingers. one hand.
Faced with such an image, social networks have been filled with messages of affection and gratitude to Lejárraga for becoming a benchmark for all those LGTBIQ children and people who enjoy playing sports in hostile environments for those who deviate ‘from the norm’.
In addition, far from also attracting the attention of haters, the goalkeeper has received many congratulatory messages for his performance in the season, thus further normalizing his coming out of the closet. ”This goalkeeper is very top”, ”Great admiration from Buenos Aires” or ”Love wins” are some of the comments that can be read on the Internet.
