The 2020 European Championship - when the world addresses the issue of queerness
Even those who are otherwise less concerned with soccer and the like may have noticed that this European Championship not only focuses on sports, but also on another important topic: LGBTQ.
For a long period of time, it was a "well-kept secret" that footballers - apparently - can indeed be gay and perform well on the pitch.
Many athletes shied away from coming out. They were afraid of not being perceived as masculine enough.
However, the theme of queerness is already playing a particularly important role at the 2020 European Championships. It only takes a glance at the details to see that the rainbow is present in many areas.
The match of the German team against Hungary as a prime example
The match between Germany and Hungary made big waves even before kickoff. Among other things, this was due to the fact that a law had just been discussed or passed in Hungary, which stipulates that children and young people should no longer be informed - for example, in school textbooks and the media - about queer relationships.
The discussions about whether the arena in Munich should be illuminated in rainbow design are a thing of the past. Nevertheless, a streaker, who was celebrated by many as a secret hero after the game, did not miss the opportunity to present the rainbow flag to the Hungarian players while they sang the national anthem.
Parallel to this, Neuer again wore the - also often discussed - rainbow armband around his arm, while many spectators in the stadium waved colorful flags.
Not "only" against racism, but against any form of discrimination
If you let your gaze wander through the stadium, you get the impression every now and then that the statements against racism, which of course are still being made, have been extended without needing many words.
It is not clear whether the solidarity with the LGBTQ community has anything to do with the fact that the 2020 European Championship will take place during Pride Month. What is clear is that millions of viewers will be sensitized to a topic that they may not have been interested in before.
Many advertising partners who have booked space on the perimeter boards in the stadium also go along with this and underlay their logos and messages with the "rainbow look". Unfortunately, the reaction here is not always positive either. Excitingly, it is less about the so often quoted "Pinkwashing", but about the fact that, frighteningly, many right-wing groups are now also complaining about Neuer wearing a colorful captain's armband instead of "proudlywearingblack-red-gold".
The goalkeeper seems to be little interested in criticism of this kind. So far, he seems to make no effort to replace the armband with the classic variant.
What do the social networks say?
Anyone who wants to find out how well rainbows and the like are received - both by passionate soccer fans and traditional European Championship spectators - usually only has to take a look at the social networks.
Emotions ran high, especially in connection with UEFA's decision not to allow the stadium in Munich to shine in rainbow colors. Among other things, many celebrities also made the case that the fans on site should be equipped with flags and wave them in a public-spirited manner.
As is so often the case, there are also several opinions on the question "How queer - or as some call it "political" - can an EM be?"there are several opinions. However, it is already clear that the topic has had one effect: that people are beginning to engage a little more with the community and possibly also to understand that homophobia is not an opinion, but an (intolerant) attitude that can make life hell for many of those affected.