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.

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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