{"id":15771,"date":"2026-06-17T17:33:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T17:33:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=15771"},"modified":"2026-06-17T17:33:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T17:33:26","slug":"iran-and-egypt-will-meet-uncomfortably-in-seattles-world-cup-pride-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=15771","title":{"rendered":"Iran and Egypt will meet, uncomfortably, in Seattle\u2019s World Cup \u2018Pride Match\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ANDREW DESTIN<\/strong><\/p>\n

SEATTLE (AP) \u2014 Egypt and Iran are two of the most repressive places in the world for gays and lesbians. But by sheer coincidence they will square off in a World Cup \u201cPride Match\u201d in Seattle coinciding with the city\u2019s annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>

Read more Angel City FC trades Kennedy Fuller to Bay FC<\/a><\/p>\n

It has already gotten awkward, with both countries asking for the celebrations to be canceled.<\/p>\n

Iran, where same-sex relations are illegal and gay men have been executed on sodomy charges, had separately asked that its games be moved out of the United States because of the war in the Middle East, a request denied by FIFA.<\/p>\n

Egypt has arrested and prosecuted gays and lesbians on the basis of vague indecency laws, and has cracked down on any outward expressions of Pride, especially the waving of rainbow flags. Those will be out in abundance during the June 26 match and the typically boisterous parades just outside the stadium.<\/p>\n

Activists are optimistic<\/h4>\n

Both countries complained to FIFA in December. Egypt\u2019s football association said it \u201ccategorically rejects holding any activities related to supporting (homosexuality) during the match.\u201d FIFA, whose authority is limited to the stadiums themselves, appears to have brushed off their protests.<\/p>\n

Leaders in the LGBTQ+ community are hopeful that the match will contribute to positive change.<\/p>\n

State Senator Jamie Pedersen, one of several openly gay members of the Washington State Legislature, said it\u2019s \u201chighly appropriate\u201d that the match will feature countries where LGBTQ+ people are unwelcome, and will convey \u201cpositive images of folks from the community.\u201d<\/p>

\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIf you tried to import a pride celebration into Egypt or Iran, obviously that could be a disaster,\u201d he said. \u201cBut in a community like Seattle that prides itself on welcoming people from all over, I just can\u2019t imagine that it\u2019s going to be a significant problem.\u201d<\/p>\n