The world’s first football pride arranged in Bekkestua

The world's first football pride parade:photo: Berit Roald / NTB scanpix

Hundreds of people showed up and were waving rainbow flags when the world’s first football pride was held in  Stabæk Fotball on Saturday.

– The turnout was absolutely amazing, says Inge André Olsen, sporting director in Stabæk, according to NTB news agency.

Ahead of the league match between Stabæk and Sarpsborg 08, the Club together with the Association for gender and sexual diversity (FRI) arranged Saturday’s parade in Bekkestua.

Olsen said the parade is the start of a larger cooperation with FRI to illuminate and secure enough expertise to eradicate prejudice against gays.

– Everyone should have equal opportunity in football, says Olsen.

The former top player hopes that several football clubs and NFF will come seriously in the field to fight against discrimination in sport.

– In 2016, we should see and end with discrimination in football.

It is important that we ourselves are aware of our responsibilities. Football has moved mountains before, and I believe that we shall also overcome this battle, says Olsen.

Ingvild Endestad leader in FRI, is happy that football has taken the initiative in the fight against homophobia.

– While we had great progress for both rights and attitudes towards lesbians and gays elsewhere in society, it is almost like time has stood still in football.

There are still shouts of homophobic slogans in Norwegian football stadiums and there are not yet any open Norwegian premier league players, says Endestad in a press release.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today