Women’s football is often seen as a safe space for LGBTQIAPN+ players. However, despite the consistent LGBTQ+ representation in the women’s game, players still face homophobic abuse on social media.

Geyse Ferreira, the Manchester United and Brazil forward, was recently targeted by homophobic attacks after sharing a photo of herself with her partner, Bruna Gois, on Instagram. She described the messages as “deeply hurtful” but vowed not to “remain silent in the face of prejudice”.

After making the attacks public, Geyse received widespread support from both footballers and fans. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, issued a statement affirming that “no one should have to experience homophobic abuse, online or offline” and that they would “remove the violating comments”.

While the women’s football community is often perceived as more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s important to recognise that such attacks can impact players’ mental health and performance. “Love, in all its forms, should be respected and celebrated, regardless of gender, orientation, or any other characteristic,” Geyse stated on X.

Gareth Hope, women’s football representative for the Rainbow Devils, a Manchester United supporters’ group, finds it “heartwarming” to see LGBTQ+ players feeling comfortable sharing their authentic selves. However, he believes football still has a long way to go to ensure players’ safety. “The women’s game attracts a very different crowd, but as the sport’s popularity grows, it’s important for the football community – clubs, the FA, and supporters groups – to set clear expectations of what is and isn’t acceptable both on the terraces and online, and to follow that up with meaningful action,” he says.

The amount of sexist and homophobic abuse female players receive is alarming. According to Hope, this abuse is not solely linked to the growing popularity of women’s football. “Football doesn’t exist in a bubble,” he says. “Hate crimes have been rising year on year in the UK, and some social media platforms actively court bigotry and reward controversy. Football exists in that world, and while it can’t resolve all of society’s ills alone, it has a great power to influence what is acceptable in society, and it must use that power to effect positive change. We all have a role to play in that.”

Fifpro, the international football players’ union, recently released a report stating that during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, social media attacks were identified against 150 players, with over 20% of these attacks being homophobic in nature –almost double the percentage reported during the 2022 men’s World Cup. The organisation also noted that sexist, sexual, and homophobic messages made up nearly 50% of all detected abuse towards players during the tournament.

Another Fifpro report, produced alongside basketball players’ associations NBPA and WNBPA, found that over 90% of targeted abuse against female footballers was sexist and homophobic, with the most vulnerable players being those open about their political stances or sexual identities. Geyse has remained defiant, continuing to share her relationship on social media. She and Bruna have posted videos of themselves riding jet skis on beaches, pictures of their video calls, and romantic messages.

“Having open LGBTQIAPN+ players makes football much more accessible to members of our community,” says Hope. “Having attended women’s and men’s football at various levels over the years, there is a noticeable difference in how well the LGBTQIAPN+ community is represented in the crowd at women’s games. That is intrinsically linked to our community being represented on the pitch – it creates a sense of unity and safety. If you feel safe, you can relax and enjoy the game.”

According to Fifpro, hatred and discrimination can severely impact players’ ability to perform at their best, with the consequences often underestimated or understated. The effects of social media abuse can include anxiety attacks, depression, low self-worth, sleep disturbances, and changes in eating patterns. In extreme cases, this abuse can lead to death by suicide. The organisation emphasises that understanding these impacts is crucial for keeping players safe. The fight against social media abuse must involve not only the players but also social media platforms, clubs, and all stakeholders in the football community.

“Together, we can fight hate with love and build a more inclusive and respectful world,” Geyse concluded after what happened to her. To achieve this, respect and mental health support are fundamental to ensure a safer environment for players to thrive.

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