To coincide with “International LGBTQI+ Pride Day,” the AFE Foundation launched the “Invisible Letters” campaign on June 28, advocating for the right to personal integrity and freedom of expression regarding sexual freedom. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion, respect, and equality. The AFE Foundation thus reaffirms its commitment to the rights of all people, with the goal of creating spaces free from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The “Invisible Letters” campaign uses posters featuring classic soccer phrases in which the letters L, G, T, B, I, and Q are nearly invisible or have disappeared entirely.

The AFE Foundation and AFE always advocate for protecting the individual freedom of soccer players, although in some cases, unfortunately, they are stigmatized—something that can be considered a hate crime. It is in these cases that AFE intervenes, always working hand in hand on such issues with the Movement Against Intolerance (MCI), an organization led by Esteban Ibarra. Spanish law protects that individual freedom, and no one should be singled out for their sexual orientation. Sexual orientation belongs to each person’s private sphere, and individuals may or may not choose to express it publicly.

The Sports Act, on the other hand, establishes the following in Article 4 / Specific Framework for Promoting Effective Equality in Sports:

The General State Administration, in coordination with the rest of the public administrations, shall develop specific public policies to combat violence against women and LGBTI+ individuals in sports, as well as sexist stereotypes or stereotypes of any other nature. All public sports development programs shall incorporate the principle of real and effective equality into their design and implementation. To this end, it is the responsibility of the Higher Sports Council to ensure and promote the practice of sports under conditions of equality within the scope of its authority, based on the dual focus of combating discrimination against women and against LGBTI+ individuals, as well as combating gender stereotypes.

At AFE Soccer Schools, meanwhile, we actively work to promote respect, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a safe and discrimination-free environment for all our students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Students are educated in the values of equality and tolerance, with the goal of eradicating prejudice and building a sports community in which LGBTIQ+ individuals feel valued and fully integrated.