Straight Pride Is For Queers

Another great rant from Britain's Dick Coughlan.

Sao Paulo OK's "Straight Pride"

The city council of Sao Paulo, Brazil has approved a bill calling for a "Heterosexual Pride Day" to be celebrated on the third Sunday of every December. Whether the event becomes a reality or not appears to depend on the mayor.

Sao Paulo Mayor Gilberto Kassab must sign the legislation for it to become law and has said only that he is studying it. His office declined Wednesday to say whether he supports the proposal. The legislation's author, Carlos Apolinario, said the idea for a Heterosexual Pride Day is "not anti-gay but a protest against the privileges the gay community enjoys." As an example, he mentioned how Sao Paulo's huge gay pride day parade is held every year on Paulista Avenue, one of the main thoroughfares in this city of 20 million people, while the March for Jesus organized by evangelical groups is not allowed on the same avenue. "I respect gays and I am against any kind of aggression made against them," Apolinario said. "I have no trouble coexisting with gays as long as their behavior is normal." The Brazilian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Association criticized the legislation, saying it could provoke homophobic violence. "How many LGBTs will be attacked because of the message that only heterosexuality makes someone a moral person and a good citizen," the association said in a statement.

Sao Paulo is the most populous city in the western hemisphere (by some measures.)

Team USA defeated Brazil in penalty kicks!

Team USA, played with one less player, made a dramatic comeback to tie up the score at 2-2 against Brazil in injury time. They went ahead and beat Brazil in penalty kicks to earn a spot in the semifinal against France! This is one of the most amazing comeback in Women's World Cup history! Wow!

Abby Wambach's OT header saves U.S. women

DRESDEN, Germany (AP) -- The Americans are moving on to the semifinals after one of the most riveting games in the history of the Women's World Cup -- beating Brazil 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie.

Abby Wambach tied it with a magnificent, leaping header in the 122nd minute, and goalkeeper Hope Solo denied the Brazilians again.

"We believe we can win this tournament," Wambach said. "I don't know if you can write a better script."

For Brazil, it is yet another disappointment at a major tournament. And this one is sure to sting more than any others because Marta had it won for the Brazilians on Sunday, scoring her second goal of the game in the second minute of overtime for the 2-1 lead that would have sent the Americans to their earliest exit ever. But Erika stalled when she went down on a tackle, and the delay added three minutes of stoppage time to the game.

That was all the time Wambach and the Americans needed, after pushing themselves to the limit while playing a woman short from the 66th minute on.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Megan Rapinoe sent a blast of a cross from the left side that Andreia didn't come close to getting her hands on. Wambach, one of the best players in the world in the air, made contact and with one furious whip of her head, buried it in the near side of the net.

Wambach let out a primal scream and slid into the corner, pumping her fists, quickly being mobbed by her teammates. It was the latest goal in World Cup history.

"I have not many words for this," Wambach said. "I am so happy."

The Americans, shooting first, made their three penalty kicks only to have Cristiane and Marta easily match them. But then it was Daiane's turn -- the same Daiane who'd given the U.S. a 1-0 lead with an own goal in the second minute of the game. She took a hard shot, but Solo stretched out and batted it away.

Though the U.S. still had to make two more, the celebration was already starting. After Rapinoe smoked the net with a blast and Ali Krieger converted hers, the Americans raced onto the field, their joy only matched by that of the pro-American crowd of 25,598. Wambach tackled Solo and U.S. coach Pia Sundhage even broke out her air guitar when AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" began to play.

More here.

Women's World Cup: USA 1-0 Brazil at the half

Lucky Better Than Good

An early own goal by Brazil in Sunday's quarterfinal match gives the U.S. the lead at halftime. A lucky break for team USA. You can watch it live on ESPN.



Team USA is 19-1 when they lead at half time while team Brazil has never won when trailing at the half. But this is still far from over. Brazil is a very good team and they have the most lethal scorer in Marta.

Yesterday, Japan scored the biggest upset in Women's World Cup history by beating 2-time defending champion and host Germany 1-0 in overtime.

The referee should be ejected for incompetence. She gave a red card to a US player and a penalty kick to Brazil when the play did not warrant a red card. The US goal keeper, Hope Solo, made a brilliant save only to receive a completely bogus yellow card and a rekick for Brazil. Marta scored on the 2nd penalty kick to tie up the score 1-1.

The score is 1-1 at the end of regulation. They will go into a 30 minute overtime.

Brazil scored another controversial goal. The replay clearly showed that Brazil was offside but the call was not made. Marta scored the go ahead goal. 2-1 Brazil.

Wambach scored for team USA in injury time to tie the score up at 2-2! Now penalty kick to decide which team advances to the semifinal! I still believe that this was one of the worst officiating games in the World Cup this year.