Fridae

Colorlines, a US news site with a focus on racial justice issues, reported:

Recently during a Superliga volleyball match in Brazil, a stadium of 3,000 fans taunted a gay player by yelling homophobic slurs. The stadium erupted repeatedly yelling “Bicha! Bicha! Bicha!” which translates to “faggot” as Volei Futuro’s Michael went to serve the ball. (Brazilians refer to their athletes by their first or nicknames.) 

The event made headlines, and as a result Michael came out to the media. Volleywood.net offers a translation of his statement: “I’m gay. Everyone knows who I am. My team fully respects my sexuality. I have been playing for 10 years and everyone has treated me well and fair. I do not feel the need to let everyone know about my sexuality.” 

Volei Futuro’s coach, fans and team members weren’t going to leave Michael standing on his own, so they wore pink warm-up shirts in support of their taunted teammate. One player wore a rainbow-colored jersey during the match. Fans waved pink thundersticks emblazoned with “Michael” throughout the match. To close the game the sound system played “I Will Survive.”

Perhaps Mr Bryant and the Lakers can learn a thing or two from Volei Futuro’s courageous show of support. [Kobe Bryant was fined US$100,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for an "offensive and inexcusable" anti-gay slur at a referee who had just called him for a technical foul.]

Michael, a middle blocker from Team Vôlei Futuro, came out publicly
after the incident on April 2. Photo from Asterisk.

Pink thundersticks emblazoned with “Michael” at a later game.

Michael’s teammates wore pink warm-up shirts in support
and one player wore a rainbow-colored jersey during the match.

Banner that reads Vôlei Futuro Against Prejudice…
More photos on Asterisk and VoleiFuturo's Facebook page.

Watch video here.

Meanwhile, a Brazilian sports tribunal has fined Team Cruzeiro about US$30,000 because its fans taunted a player with homophobic chants during a match, according to Sports Illustrated website.