sport
Four-time world champion assumes homosexuality – a rare case in Portugal
“EAlthough I always reserve this place on Instagram for my professional life, this moment is special: yes, I like girls, ”Isabela Souza wrote on June 30, even after the month of LGBTI Pride, and where, according to her, she spent“ ups and downs … “.
Isabela Sousa is a Brazilian bodyboard athlete who has been living in Portugal, in Estoril Praia for four years since 2018, twice becoming champion of the sport in 2012 and four times champion in 2016.
Since she was in Estoril Praia, she has already entered the top three in the world championship and became the European champion in 2018, and the next year she became a two-time champion.
In an interview with Lusa, Isabela Sousa explained that she had never hidden from her loved ones, family and friends “a very personal, very intimate affair,” which, as she understood, had no place on her professional page on the social networking site.
In her personal life, “everyone knew”, but as an athlete she experienced “situations of prejudice” from either other athletes or brands and sponsors, which led her to mature the idea during LGBTI Pride Month in June. out ‘on your social network.
“What I am doing is nobody’s business, but the fact that I went through some things I thought it was important to do it, but more to normalize it, because although it’s nobody’s business, it is still necessary “, he said.
For Isabela Sousa, her homosexuality “is a fact” of her life, but it does not define her life, and she hopes that her attitude can “help some people who are going through this process.”
The reactions were more positive than negative: “There were people who started following me that day, and there were people who stopped following me.”
For the President of Amplos, the Association of Fathers and Mothers for Freedom of Sexual Orientation, it should no longer be necessary to make a public statement, and it should no longer have the impact it has.
“The ideal did not have to be exact. A person is only interested in himself and the people about whom he wants to talk, but since we have not yet reached this state, this is important. [anunciar publicamente]”, – defended Manuela Ferreira.
In her opinion, this is important to her from the very beginning, because the fact that she openly talks about what she is, and is not ashamed of it, “ultimately takes the weight off her,” and then because it does it is noticeable and “gives confidence. young people who will still be in their closet. “
“Drawing attention to a public figure is always important, because this is another person who speaks without being ashamed of who he is, this is another point that is added, this is another naturalization of these issues, in particular,” he defended.
According to Manuela Ferreira, the athlete “showed great courage,” and this deserves a single reaction: “Congratulations.”
Also the president of ILGA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Intervention) agrees that Isabela Sousa’s attitude was very important.
“We can only thank Isabela Sousa for this courageous act that can be so significant and affect many young people in the world of sports who at this moment still feel lonely, still feel isolated and unable to experience their life in all of it. completeness. personalities, “said Ana Aresta.
The official noted that very little attention is paid to LGBTI athletes in the sports world, “there is a lot of fear” in exposing oneself, and homophobic insult continues to be used to “vilify the performances of athletes and athletes, whether they are LGBTI people or not.”
When she opened up about her homosexuality on Instagram, Isabela noticed that most of the positive reviews she received were from men who thanked them, believing they would go through the same thing.
“I think in surfing in general, most surfers are men, and this is a very sexist community, and for a man who calls himself gay, this is a big departure from the status quo. Men who are the best there, ”the athlete said.
For the President of ILGA, “getting out of the closet” is an individual decision, but for more young people it is important that they feel free to do the same, but the responsibility cannot rest with the athletes to advocate for a more interventionist role. for a part of sports facilities.
It was not possible to get any position from the Portuguese Surfing Federation on this issue, but the club representing Isabela Sousa reported that it was for such positions as her that Estoril Praia launched the “Um Clube para Todos” campaign in 2019.
“It is for athletes to feel safe, comfortable and supportive at a time when they decide to accept what they are, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation or worldview,” explained Filipe Mendonça, Member of Management Board of the Estoril Praia Sports Group.
Amplos founder and current president of the European Network of LGBTI + Parents (ENP) Margarida Faria notes that Portugal is “more or less halfway up the scale” among European countries and has the best laws, “which does not mean that the society is very open. because it is not. “
He recalled that discrimination leads to isolation, and defended a more active role of sports federations, as well as strengthening positions and intransigence towards homophobia.
For Isabella Sousa, it was just another step in her “discovery” that began when she was still a teenager and drew backlash from some of the more religious and conservative family members.
The backlash led to the downsizing of some of these family members, and today he admits that it even influenced his athletic performance and helped “the big evolution.”
“I became freer.”
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PREVIEW
ABOUT Benfica returns to competition, after a break from national team commitments, with the reception of Chaves this Friday, March 29, at 18:00 at the Estadio da Luz, in the game of the 27th round of the championship. Betkliche League.
Already preliminary press conferencewhich took place on the Benfica campus, Roger Schmidt emphasized that the team is in good shape meet with Chaveza rival who has nothing to lose when faced with the threat of relegation.
At the start of the decisive stage of the season, the coach remembered and praised that the Reds were still fighting for three trophies (Betklić League, Portuguese Taça and Europa League) and this was necessary. “We must use this opportunity and this moment to accelerate our highest level in everything.“, emphasized Roger Schmidt, distinguished Coach's Award at the ceremony dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the Club.
“We are in good shape, the first game is always demanding, but we are ready to play it.”
Roger Schmidt
What was it like preparing for this game against Chavez without any international players?
It was a typical international break, some players were with their teams, and I think it was a good opportunity for us to rest a bit and then get back to training. We did it very well and are excited to play again. Playing at home after the national team break is always a good start. All the national team players returned in good shape, a little tired, but without injuries. I'm happy with that, my biggest fear is always that they will get injured. We are in good shape, the first match is always demanding, but we are ready to play it. The decisive phase of the season begins and everything we have done over the last eight or nine months of this season had to be prepared for these weeks. We have six or seven weeks left to play, we still have three competitions to play and it really is a special season. When you can still win three trophies at the end of March, it's a very good season. Our task is to use this opportunity and this moment to accelerate to the highest level in everything. So, anything is possible. We have this expectation. For tomorrow [sexta-feira, 29 de março]Chavez and I know that this team is always difficult to play against. They are facing relegation, they have nothing to lose at our stadium. This is a good team, they have a good coach, and we have to solve this problem.
How did you feel when you left the Club’s 120th anniversary ceremony?
On Tuesday [26 de março], The gala was impressive. It always gives us a feeling of how great the Club is and how much love and passion there is in it. I'm always pleased to see that and how Benfica treats their history, former players and everything else. It's always something special and I'm so glad to be a part of it. We want to take this opportunity to please everyone around Benfica and within Benfica.
“Playing at home after the international break is always good”
Are you considering resting Otamendi and Di Maria for this game against Chavez before the two matches against Sporting? Is Ba suitable?
Of course they could rest. The question is: “Would it be beneficial for them to rest?” Both players like to play consistently and quickly. Sometimes they need a rest, like I gave Angel a few times. [Di María], when he played a lot of games in a row and there were big games ahead of us. Sometimes it makes sense to keep them out, but they are both key players for us and have performed at the highest level all season. I always have to make a decision about what is best for us and the players. Are they ready to play at this pace? They have shown this over the last 15 years. Are you ready to return to the club after the national team games and play again? They have also shown this over the past 15 years. I have no doubt that they are ready for tomorrow. [sexta-feira], play. Alex Ba is fine, we still have a little problem with load management, he had a problem and we want to be careful that it doesn't happen again. He's fine now, it was good not to play for the national team, he trained again and we tried to rest him at the right time. He's ready to play.
Di Maria has been going through a turbulent time for several days now: he and his family have received death threats. Is the player 100% physically and mentally ready for this game and the rest of the season?
What happened to him and his family shows how crazy the world is. It is catastrophic and catastrophic if something like this happens. It is clear that receiving such messages affects the player and the individual. We try to support him as best we can. He is professional and experienced enough to handle such situations, but such situations are completely difficult and rare, especially in a family. This is the worst thing that could happen, but we talked about it. He is trying to live a normal life. Of course, when something like this happens, some thoughts arise in your head, so we will try to support you as best we can.
“It’s time for all of us to show a very good attitude and performance on the field.”
In the last game of the championship, he said that a player who does what Kökçu did cannot be in the team. So, have you spoken to him? Can we expect him to be in the team for this game against Chaves?
As I said during the challenge with Casa Pia [26.ª jornada], my concern was to focus on the game. It would have been better not to mention him in this interview. He returned today [quinta-feira], we talked about it and it was actually exactly what I expected. It was not his intention to create this noise and negativity around our team. I already said before and after the Casa Pia game that I have complete confidence in him as a player, in terms of quality and also in his character. You made a mistake, this interview did no good to anyone. It was not good for us, for him and for Benfica, that's very clear. Now we have to deal with this. Even when players make mistakes, they are still my players, and sometimes I have to support them in difficult times. This is what we have to do, we've talked about it and now it's time to talk about it on the pitch. It's time for all of us, not just him, to demonstrate a very good mentality and performance in field. Everything that is not good for us, that can distract our attention a little, should be excluded. We have resolved this situation domestically and it is time to look forward. I'll be back tomorrow with the team [sexta-feira].
Kökçu was in the Turkish national team. Do you feel that your role in the national team is different from your role in Benfica?
I think I've said everything about Orkun. [Kökcü]. National teams and clubs are always different. These are different players, different tactical approaches. I don't think much about the choice. National team coaches have their own ideas, their own goals, and they must use the players as they see fit. I'm focused on what's happening here on our team, not just with Orkun. [Kökcü], but in general. Players who make it to national teams love to do it because it's a great honor for everyone. The national teams are preparing for summer competitions… These are two different things, and I am completely focused on the Club.
“Everything we did over the last eight or nine months of this season had to be prepared for these weeks.”
As for Juan Bernat, who was seen in training, will he be fit enough to contribute by the end of the season?
All of us, including himself, expected a different season. He is a very experienced player. Unfortunately, he came in with a minor injury, but he recovered and played a few minutes for us in five or six matches. Not full games, but a few minutes. He has been injured since the end of October, for five months now. I think now is not the time to think too much about next season, we need to think about it. He's working hard to get back on the field. He returned to training with the team this week, the first time in five months he has returned and we hope that he stabilizes with the workload, the football load and, of course, that he makes an impact in the last six or seven years. weeks. This is his situation at the moment. We are on a good track and we hope it will have a good impact at the end of the season.
Social media junkie. Incurable analyst. Food enthusiast. Subtly charming travel scholar.
Social media junkie. Incurable analyst. Food enthusiast. Subtly charming travel scholar.
Social media junkie. Incurable analyst. Food enthusiast. Subtly charming travel scholar.
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