🔗 Share this article Seattle's LGBTQ+ Pride to Proceed During FIFA Tournament In Spite of Formal Protests from Egypt and Iran Arrangements to hold Pride-focused events and activities in Seattle during the upcoming FIFA World Cup tournament are proceeding unabated, even after Iranian and Egyptian soccer associations raised strong concerns about a planned “Pride Match.” Venue Regulations and External Festivities Seattle's planning committee have confirmed they are “proceeding as planned” with celebratory programming outside the stadium. This coincides with the tournament group match featuring Egypt and Iran on June 26th. Furthermore, the tournament's governing body has a policy allowing rainbow flags inside the stadium. “As the local organising committee, SeattleFWC26’s primary task is to get the city ready to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” said the vice-president of communications. Legal Background of Objections Homosexuality is illegal under Iranian law, and in Egypt, morality laws are often used to target and prosecute individuals from the LGBTQ+ community. Egypt's football association declared it did not want to be linked to celebrations that “directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values … in Islamic and Arab societies.” In a parallel move, the head of Iran's soccer body publicly registered “objections against the issue.” The Governing Body's Position Regarding Symbols Fifa maintains full authority over match venues on matchdays. Although its rules forbid banners and flags with political messages, it permits flags expressing “sporting and social symbols,” a category which includes the rainbow flag. This regulation was applied at the previous tournament in Qatar and was reinforced following reports of flags being seized. The Pride Match was an idea created to highlight the city's longstanding tradition of championing inclusion and equality. A design contest is underway to create images celebrating the event. Organizers have pledged to ensuring every visitor feel welcome in the Pacific Northwest throughout the 48-team competition. The Pacific Northwest hosts one of the nation’s most prominent Iranian-American communities, a vibrant Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities from every competing country. “Our commitment is to ensuring everyone experience the hospitality, dignity, and respect that characterizes our part of the country,” organizers added.