It’s hard to show support for the LGBTQ+ cause during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Indeed, although FIFA said last week that rainbow-colored shirts, flags or other gear are now allowed in Qatar’s stadiums, many people in possession of these items are in fact arrested and their items confiscated.
In this context, and to get around this ban, the soccer magazine Corner has found a trick: the medium has created a Snapchat filter for fans who wish to attend the World Cup matches while defending the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
For good reason, this Snapchat filter called “Pride Nation” allows you to digitally transform, thanks to augmented reality, any banner into a Pride flag, Mashable reports this Wednesday, December 6. The public can access this free tool simply by searching for “Pride Nation” on Snapchat under the “Glasses” tab or by scanning a code available at the end of a Corner-produced video dedicated to the subject on YouTube.
Restrictions on freedom of expression
The latter also stressed the importance of the right to demonstrate without risk of sanction, explaining that the editorial staff of El Rincón had sought a way for fans to demonstrate peacefully avoiding “violence or even imprisonment”. The protests took place on the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Several of them were intended in particular to support LGBTQ+ rights in the emirate.
In late November, several American and Welsh fans were denied entry to stadiums because they were wearing rainbow-coloured jerseys, while others were asked to hide these items so as not to be seen.
FIFA has also banned soccer players from wearing One Love bracelets while playing. These rainbow colored bracelets are recognized symbols of solidarity and alliance for the queer community. Seven European soccer teams have been forced to drop plans to wear the armbands during the tournament due to the risk of sanctions from FIFA.
Source: BFM TV
