Inside Canarinhos LGBT, the fan collective pushing diversity in Brazil's stands | OneFootball

On International LGBTQIA+ Pride Day, we spotlight Canarinhos LGBT, a nationwide fan coalition formed in 2019 to confront LGBTphobia and promote inclusion on Brazil’s terraces.

According to Globo.com, the movement began as Canarinhos Arco-Íris uniting fan groups. It now brings together more than 18 supporter groups nationwide.

Founder Onã Rudá, who also leads LGBTricolor linked to Esporte Clube Bahia, says the initiative grew from necessity. Bahia has taken public stands on 17 May and 28 June since 2017 and staged a Trans Visibility Day action in 2019.

In 2020 the collective created the Observatório da LGBTfobia no Futebol to track violence and discriminatory chants. Its first complaint reached Bahia’s sports court via the national body but was ruled time-barred, and from 2021 the group began systematic monitoring and reporting. In June 2021 it was renamed Coletivo de Torcidas Canarinhos LGBT.

They built a communications mechanism and an annual report, but lack of funds delayed publication until the CBF under Ednaldo Rodrigues supported a launch at Brasil Futebol Expo. The first yearbook covers 2020 and all of 2021 despite an apparent August cut-off in the document.

This work follows pioneers such as Coligay, founded in 1977 in Porto Alegre by nightclub manager Volmar Santos, debuting on nine April 1977 at Grêmio v Santa Cruz. The group later faced hostility and surveillance, disbanded in 1983, and inspired Flagay and Fogay, with Flagay emerging in 1979 in Rio but never reaching the stands.

Source: Globo.com