A soccer team consisting entirely of transgender men has made its debut in a regional league in Spain, overcoming administrative challenges and prejudice to become the first all-trans squad to achieve federated status in Europe.
Spain passed a pioneering trans rights bill last year designed to make it easier to change a person’s legal gender identity.
Hugo Martinez, 24, told Reuters he faced abuse when he began transitioning with gender-affirming hormone therapy and was forced to leave the women’s soccer team in which he had played.
The experience prompted Martinez to put out a call online for other trans men seeking to play soccer in a safe environment.
But for its fans and players, trans men having the right to play their favorite sport on equal terms is far more important than the score.
Persons:
Hugo Martinez, “, ”, Martinez, Captain Luke Ibanez, cisgender, Unai De Antonio Gonzalez, Albert Gea, Reuters “, Reuters ’
Organizations:
Fenix FC, Reuters, Fenix, FA
Locations:
Spain, Europe, Catalonia, Barcelona, Sant, de Llobregat