The MMA fighter Mathis Chevalier has spoken out after being targeted by numerous homophobic reactions on social media since the release of The Arena on Netflix. He denounces those who minimize the existence of homophobia in sport and defends the LGBT flag’s presence at sporting events.
Since the release of The Arena on Netflix, Mathis Chevalier has faced numerous reactions related to his participation in the show, some of which are openly homophobic on social media.
In response to those who minimize or deny the existence of homophobia in MMA, the fighter chose to speak publicly on his Instagram account. He states that he himself has witnessed homophobic behavior in this milieu and recounts in particular having met people who called for homophobic murder.
“I’ve seen homophobia in sport and in MMA. (…) I’ve met people who called for homophobic murder in this sport. I can’t let you say that it doesn’t exist. Just shut up a little!”
“I can’t let you say that it doesn’t exist”
For Mathis Chevalier, the reactions he faces on social media illustrate precisely the problem he is denouncing. Beyond his personal experience, he points to the numerous homophobic comments published under his own posts.
These reactions, he says, directly contradict those who claim that homophobia does not exist in sport.
His testimony thus aims to remind that discrimination against LGBT people does not disappear from the world of sport and that they can also express themselves publicly, notably on social media.
