11.02.2009 12:54
Reception for the Gay and Lesbian Penya Blaugrana
www.fcbarcelona.cat
FC Barcelona offered a reception in Sala París at the Camp Nou to the Penya Blaugrana de Gais i Lesbianes, once again demonstrating that the club can set new standards in relation to equality and tolerance.
It was a historic occasion in Sala París last February 8, when for the first time ever FC
Barcelona held a reception for a group of gays and lesbians. This is also the first supporters club
of its type in the
Spanish league.
The event formed part of the Queer Football Fanclubs Meeting held over the weekend in
Barcelona and that debated such issues as the discrimination against the homosexual supporters of a
variety of European clubs, including Bayern Munich, Köln, Hertha Berlin, Saint Pauli, Karlsruhe,
Mainz, Berne, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Bradford City.
Numerous authorities
Josep Ribes, president of the Penya Blaugrana de Gais i Lesbianes, described the event as
historic. It was attended by such dignitaries as Carme Porta, Secretary for Families in the
Generalitat’s Social Welfare Department; Joaquim Mestre, governor for Civil Rights on the
Barcelona Council; Lluís Monge, of the Federation of Municipalities; Jordi Petit, ex-secretary of
the International Lesbian and Gay Association and Tanja Walther-Arens, member of FARE (Football
Against Racism in Europe) and the European Federation of
gay and Lesbian Sports.
FC Barcelona was represented by directors Albert Perrín, Xavier Bagués, Patrick Auset and
Jordi Torrent as well as the Members’ Representative, Magda Oranich. Bagués welcomed the
supporters club members and invited them to enjoy the moment because “the inauguration of
your crest at the stadium is one of the most emotional moments for any supporters club”. And
that was precisely the next item on the schedule.
Inauguration of club crest
The inauguration of the club’s crest on the Camp Nou wall was the last of a series of
events in support of equality and against discrimination in football in particular
and society in general.
Social Commission director, Elvira Pou, hosted an emotional ceremony with plenty of applause
for all concerned. And deservedly so, for almost two years on from the moment their club was
officially founded, the Penya Blaugrana de Gais i Lesbianes has made a considerable mark on the
Barça supporters movement.