A recent solidarity event in Barcelona, hosted by a local sports nonprofit, has drawn attention not merely for its high-profile guests but for the homophobic backlash sparked by a photo shared from the evening. The gala, which included appearances by famous football figures such as FIFA World Cup winner Joan Capdevila, as well as rising FC Barcelona star Héctor Fort pictured lifting Catalonia’s well-loved drag queen and LGBTQ+ activist Brigitta Lamoure.
Héctor Fort, who is just 18 years old and a right-back for FC Barcelona (which is a position on the pitch, apparently), is rapidly gaining recognition in La Liga (Spanish football league? We’re guessing…) with 20 appearances under his belt and an estimated social media following of around four million. Brigitta Lamoure, known for making noise as an activist and a leading light on Catalonia’s LGBTQ+ scene, attended the event where the two shared a lighthearted moment that would soon gain unexpected attention: Fort lifting Lamoure in his arms for a photograph.
Lamoure shared this image on Easter on both Instagram and X, tagging it Resurrection Sunday! The photo was embraced within the LGBTQ+ community but when it got to the football crew, things changed, with a wave of homophobic abuse and slurs directed at both Lamoure and Fort pouring forth. Lamoure remarked to VilaWeb on the distressing nature of the responses: ‘I was surprised that many were young people, especially girls, very homophobic. My fight is for a free, diverse and inclusive society.’ She found herself having to moderate comments, blocking and deleting numerous offensive remarks.
The incident exposes ongoing issues concerning masculinity and acceptance within men’s football, a sport where openly engaging with queer identities remains relatively uncommon. It also coincides with a noted increase in hate crimes linked to sexual orientation and gender identity across Spain, a country usually regarded as LGBTQ+ friendly.
Amid the online vitriol, Lamoure has reported receiving many supportive messages, but was disappointed that neither Fort nor FC Barcelona have publicly responded to the controversy. Lamoure criticised the club for what she sees as performative allyship, particularly pointing to their sponsorship ties with Qatar, a country where LGBTQ+ relationships remain criminalised. She said: ‘On June 28, International Pride Day, they will put flags all over the ground, but they will continue working with Qatar.’
This episode highlights a broader reluctance in men’s football to address and counteract homophobia directly. While there are isolated instances of players speaking out—such as former Spain international Borja Iglesias—these are exceptions rather than the rule. Some fans have suggested gestures of solidarity including more FC Barcelona players engaging with Lamoure or even naming her a ‘godmother’ of the team, proposals which Lamoure embraced with humor, sharing a video singing a line from the club’s anthem: ‘We have a name everyone knows… Barca, Barca, Baaarca!’
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/4217812/fc-barcelona-reaffirms-commitment-to-no-lgbti-phobia-in-sport – FC Barcelona’s commitment to eradicating homophobic attitudes in sport highlights the disconnect between the club’s policies and actions during events like the one involving Héctor Fort and Brigitta Lamoure. The club’s stance against homophobia is reinforced through collaborations and educational programs.
- https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/4224467/event-against-lgtbi-phobia-in-sport-at-fc-barcelona – This article mentions an event against LGTBI-phobia in sport at FC Barcelona, which aligns with the broader challenge of addressing homophobia in men’s football, as seen in the controversy surrounding the photo involving Héctor Fort and Brigitta Lamoure.
- https://www.catalannews.com/society-science/item/lgbtq-activists-demand-paradigm-shift-in-fight-against-hatred – This article reports on LGBTQ+ protests in Barcelona that highlight the need for a paradigm shift in combating homophobic attacks, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ activists like Brigitta Lamoure in their advocacy for inclusivity.
- https://oxfordre.com/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-1284 – Barcelona’s strong LGBT movement and its role as a hub for LGBT politics in Spain underscore the city’s significance in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, which contrasts with the homophobic backlash faced by Lamoure.
- https://www.notstr8ight.com/explore/barcelona-pride/ – Barcelona Pride celebrates diversity and inclusivity, reflecting the city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene and its efforts to promote acceptance, which stands in contrast to the homophobia encountered by Lamoure and her supporters.
- https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=homophobia+in+men%27s+football&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C47 – This search provides resources on the prevalence of homophobia in men’s football, highlighting why incidents like the backlash against Héctor Fort and Brigitta Lamoure are notable and challenging to address within the sport.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent events and does not appear to rely on outdated information. It discusses specific incidents that have occurred within known timeframes, such as around Easter.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
There are quotes from Brigitta Lamoure, which seem original in this context but lack an earlier online reference. The quotes do not appear to be recycled or fabricated.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Gay Express, which is not a major news source like BBC or Reuters, though it covers LGBTQ+ topics. Its credibility is lower compared to mainstream media.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about homophobic abuse and the context of the football community are plausible given past instances of such behavior. However, the narrative’s focus on a lack of response from FC Barcelona, while plausible, remains speculative.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative is fresh and plausibly reflects real issues within the football community, its source reliability is relatively low due to Gay Express not being a major publication. The quotes appear original but lack earlier verification. Overall, the content seems authentic but warrants further confirmation from more reliable sources.
