Homophobia in male soccer: narrative literature review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Brazil is well-known as the country of soccer football, a meeting place for masculinities, guided by the heterosexual norm, where dissidents of this aspect can be marginalized within this space. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to discuss homophobia in this context. METHODS: Methodologically, this is a narrative literature review; six articles were analyzed, 5 in Portuguese and 1 in English, published between 2012-2018 and indexed in the Scielo, PePsic, BVS, and Capes databases. The collected data were analyzed using a review protocol and later from the Content Analysis technique. RESULTS: The results were compiled in five categories: 1) Soccer as a context of male performance; 2) Homosexuals in football; 3) Homosociality in football; 4) Stadiums, fans, language, and the media; 5) Queer cheerleading and inclusion, which argued that football is a context of performativity for the hegemonic masculinity of the heterosexual project, where homosexuals have their participation limited and/or banned. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Homosexuals need to conform to the heterosexual norm if they wish to participate in the sport, usually remaining in the closet. Homosociability in football is allowed as a form of love for the team, and language is used as a way to express homophobic violence, but it is admitted that changes in this scenario are taking place, even if at a slow pace, enabling the proposal of inclusive masculinities. It is concluded that football represents much more than a sport, but a political game and a device of sexuality, which regulates gender relations between men.