Pride

England’s World Cup quarter-final clashes with Pride in London, and people are torn

  • Jul 04 2018
  • Written by Josh Jackman
England's coach Gareth Southgate (R) celebrates with England's midfielder Eric Dier after the penalty shootout at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Colombia and England at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on July 3, 2018. (Photo by Juan Mabromata / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

Eric Dier and Gareth Southgate embrace at the end of England’s quarter-final (JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty)

England have won a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time, beating Colombia and making it into a quarter-final against Sweden – which is happening at the same time as Pride in London.

Because of this, the glorious victory, which meant that six of the World Cup’s eight remaining countries have legalised same-sex marriage, has got some LGBT football fans feeling torn.

After all, football is due to continue coming home at 3pm on July 7, with England going on to the semi-finals just as they deserve to, considering their record on LGBT legislation – right in the middle of London being flooded with rainbows.

Some are predicting complete chaos, with one person tweeting: “Saturday is gonna be pride then football then back to pride and honestly my body won’t be able to cope.”

Another fan replied, saying: “Well conflicted over Pride now It better be on somewhere gay friendly cuz I am not up for a straight space when I’m covered in glitter.”

An excellent and extremely understandable point.

One person pointed out that “kick off on Saturday is the same time as Sophie Ellis-Bextor is on the main stage at Pride. I’m stressed.”

As well as the “Murder on the Dancefloor” singer, the stage will also play host to the Gay Men’s Dance Company and Courtney Act during the game.

For some, it was an opportunity for football to come home to its LGBT fans and be absorbed into the general Pride celebrations.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 03: England players (l-r Danny Rose, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Jamie Vardy) celebrate after Eric Dier of England scores the winning penalty during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Colombia and England at Spartak Stadium on July 3, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

England players celebrate winning their quarter-final against Colombia (Matthias Hangst/Getty)

One football fan wrote that “the quarter final is the same day as London Pride so I’m claiming it for all the sports loving queers, sorry straight people, the England team is ours now.”

After more than half a century without a trophy, maybe it’s time.

Others were just desperately fretting over how to enjoy both events.

One extraordinarily conflicted person said: “excuse me. which central gay bars will be showing the england game at 3pm during pride. i’m sorry about this tweet and am trying to delete it.”

One commenter on this tweet wrote: “not that it matters at all obviously but if you do happen to find out I’d be vaguely, barely, a little bit interested to know,” showing that the initial poster wasn’t alone in her feelings.

Maybe there’s a solution, though.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 03: Harry Kane of England celebrates victory following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Colombia and England at Spartak Stadium on July 3, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Hopefully everyone will be this happy on Saturday (Ryan Pierse/Getty)

One innovative person wrote: “I want London Pride to announce an outdoor screening for the England vs Sweden quarter finals hosted by a drag queen or something.”

We can’t think of a better setting in which to cheer on Harry Kane, Gareth Southgate, Jordan Pickford and the rest of the Three Lions.

Others were just interested in creating admittedly fantastic puns, with one person tweeting: “it’s coming homo.”

He may have been the first to make that joke on Twitter, but he certainly wasn’t the last.

It’s coming homo, y’all (Twitter)

On a more serious note, others are concerned about the potential for overexuberant, drunk England fans mixing and clashing with the parade and any festivities which take place afterwards.

One person wrote: “my pride look is: constantly checking my phone to see if england won or if i’m going to be hate crimed by angry fans.”

Another said: “Saturday is going to be 31 degrees in London. It’s Pride and England v Sweden” above a picture of Ralph Wiggum chuckling and saying: “I’m in danger.”

And yet another wrote that “central London is going to be crazy!” accompanied by a picture of Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness embodying the quality of “gay fear.”

Hopefully these fears won’t be realised, and England’s LGBT fans will have two reasons to celebrate on Saturday.

This picture taken on July 3, 2018 shows England supporters in Moscow celebrating the team's victory in their Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match against Colombia. (Photo by Vasily MAXIMOV / AFP) (Photo credit should read VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images)

LGBT England fans are hoping their two loves can be combined peaceably this Saturday (VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty)

A gay football fan was hospitalised in Russia with brain injuries after a vicious attack ahead of the World Cup.

There have been few other reports of anti-gay violence during the tournament, which is nearly two weeks old, but LGBT people in Russia have voiced their fears that the relaxed policing towards the community will end after the World Cup.

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