DFB captain Gwinn highlights rainbow ties at Euro Championships
The German women's national soccer team made a powerful statement at the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, held in Switzerland, by wearing the rainbow armband during their matches. The rainbow armband, a symbol of inclusivity, respect, and support for the LGBTQI+ community, represents a stand against discrimination and champions diversity within the team and beyond.
This gesture follows a precedent set by former captain Alexandra Popp during Euro 2021 in England, and reflects a broader movement in football to promote acceptance and challenge discrimination. The rainbow flag and its colours have long been recognised as symbols of LGBTQ+ pride and rights since the 1970s.
The symbolic choice gains further significance against the backdrop of controversies related to LGBTQ+ rights in global football, such as debates during the men's 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is criminalized. The German Football Association (DFB) has formally registered the rainbow armband with UEFA, ensuring that it and other armbands promoting respect and inclusion can be worn without restrictions.
Giulia Gwinn, the new captain of the German women's team for the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, is leading the team as captain at a tournament for the first time. Gwinn wore a black, red, and gold armband in her first game as captain, followed by a rainbow armband. Speaking about the decision to wear the rainbow armband, Gwinn stated that the team wants to carry values of diversity and inclusivity out into the world.
The German team's first game in the tournament was against Poland in St. Gallen on Friday. The team's tournament starts at 9:00 PM CET and will be broadcast on ARD. Coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg leads the team, guiding them as they strive to embody the values they represent through their actions on the pitch.
The German women's national soccer team's use of the rainbow armband is part of ongoing efforts in football to showcase values of respect and diversity, especially important given past controversies around LGBTQ+ representation in sports. By wearing the rainbow armband, the team is standing for diversity in society, promoting acceptance, and challenging discrimination.
[1] DFB registers rainbow armband for UEFA Women's Euro 2022. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dfb.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/dfb-registriert-regenbogenarmband-fuer-uefa-womens-euro-2022/ [2] German women's team to wear rainbow armband at UEFA Women's Euro 2022. (2022, July 5). Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/german-womens-team-to-wear-rainbow-armband-at-uefa-womens-euro-2022/a-61800979 [3] The history of the rainbow flag. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ilga.org/resources/history-of-the-rainbow-flag
- The German Football Association (DFB) has registered the rainbow armband for the upcoming UEFA Women's Euro 2022, a symbol of inclusivity and respect for the LGBTQI+ community, to be worn without restrictions during the tournament.
- The football team's fashion-and-beauty decision to wear the rainbow armband reflects a broader movement in sports, particularly in football, to promote acceptance and challenge discrimination, as seen in global leagues like the European leagues and the Champions League.
- The new captain of the German women's team, Giulia Gwinn, has shown her support for diversity and inclusivity by wearing both the black, red, and gold armband and the rainbow armband in her first game as captain, following in the footsteps of former captain Alexandra Popp.
