Cornwall Pride say the World Cup is a massive step back for the LGBTQ+ community
This comes after concerns for the safety of LGBTQ+ in Qatar
Last updated 25th Nov 2022
Cornwall Pride say the World Cup is a massive step back for the LGBTQ+ community.
This comes after concerns for the safety of LGBTQ+ in Qatar and the controversial one love armband U-turn.
Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, Chief Executive of Cornwall Pride says he's watched the community rise up and say this is absolutely not right.
Cornwall, Manchester, London, Birmingham and many prides across the UK have shown there support and shared the message.
Matt said "We asked the community if they wished to do so, as it is a personal choice to boycott watching the game and ask venues to look at boycotting it themselves"
"I feel the reality is I don't know whether that has actually happened. I don't know if many venues have looked at not only the LGBTQ+ element but the horrific human rights and the deaths of the migrant workers within Qatar"
"People haven't looked at it as, actually that's not right" he said.
One pub landlord that has shown support to the community in Cornwall has pledged to donate World Cup profits to Cornwall Pride.
Lee Wells says he will show the World Cup games for his customers but does not want to make any money from screening them.
"We are grateful for the direct support for our Cornwall Pride charity. This is completely unprecedented, and we share a thanks to the owner, staff & customers whilst seriously considering the morality of the World Cup in Qatar" said Cornwall Pride
Matthew Kenworthy Gomes said he feels as though an opportunity for the community has been missed.
"UEFA had a massive opportunity when FIFA said look we're going to book the players if they wear the one love armband"
"UEFA and all the FA's across Europe had a huge opportunity to say, do you know what if we're not able to do that, we will pull out of the FIFA world cup.
"They could've easily done that and FIFA would've had no opportunity to say actually we have to allow you to wear that.. they didnt"
"There are many occasions across history were people have stood up for human rights and challenges within massive sporting occasions"