Football, often seen as a bastion of masculinity, has long struggled with issues of homophobia. Jean-Baptiste Montarnier, a passionate football fan and president of Bleus et Fiersis on a mission to change that. His journey from a young player to a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in football is both inspiring and eye-opening.
Born in Creusot, Saône-et-LoireMontarnier’s love for football began at a young age. However, his passion was tempered by the virilist culture and homophobic slurs that permeated the sport. At just 15 years old, he stopped playing football, feeling increasingly out of place in an environment that seemed to reject him.
Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Supporters
Despite stepping away from playing, Montarnier’s love for football never waned. He continued to support Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the French national teamattending matches and facing the same homophobic chants and attitudes that had driven him away from the sport as a player. His experiences led him to found Bleus et Fiers in 2018, the only LGBTQ+ supporters’ club affiliated with the French Football Federation (FFF).
The club, which now boasts a small but dedicated membership of around a hundred people from across France, provides a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ football fans. Members enjoy the camaraderie of supporting their teams together, free from the fear of discrimination. Montarnier’s vision was to create a community where LGBTQ+ supporters could exist without having to hide their identities.
The Ongoing Battle Against Homophobia
Montarnier’s work with Bleus et Fiers is part of a broader effort to combat homophobia in French football. He points out that while other forms of discrimination, such as racism, are met with swift and severe consequences, homophobia is often dismissed as mere ‘folklore’ or ‘banter’. This attitude, he argues, perpetuates a culture of acceptance for homophobic behavior.
One of the most striking examples of this disparity is the case of Gianluca Prestiannian Argentine player who attempted to defend himself against accusations of racist remarks by claiming he had used a homophobic slur instead. This incident highlights the different scales of gravity assigned to various forms of discrimination in football.
Montarnier also criticizes the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) for its recent shift away from specific anti-homophobia campaigns. The LFP’s decision to replace the rainbow-themed initiatives with a more generic campaign against ‘all discriminations’ has been seen as a step backward by many, including Montarnier. ‘If you want to invisibilize the subject, you can’t do better than that,’ he states.
The Road Ahead: Hope and Challenges
Despite the challenges, Montarnier remains hopeful. He looks to countries like England and Germanywhere LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups are well-established and widely accepted. In these nations, rainbow flags are a common sight in stadiums, and homophobic chants are met with severe penalties, including stadium bans.
As the world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Montarnier and Bleus et Fiers are gearing up to make their presence felt. They plan to attend the tournament, just as they did during the 2026 World Cup in Qatardespite concerns about the host country’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights. ‘Not going would be giving in to their attitudes,’ Montarnier asserts.
The journey towards a fully inclusive football culture is far from over, but with advocates like Jean-Baptiste Montarnier leading the charge, the future looks brighter. His story is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and the unwavering belief that football, like any other sphere of life, should be a place where everyone feels welcome and valued.
