[:en]Dexanet Idea Volley takes the field against homophobia.
It is the first volleyball team in the city of Brescia to embrace the Arcigay project,
During the Brescia derby between Dexanet Idea Volley and McDonald's Atlantide, matchday 13 of the Serie C – Group A volleyball championship, which ended 3-1 for the home team, coach Mattia Rigamonti wore a blue bracelet. He will do so for the remaining matches of the season. The blue bracelet was donated pre-match by Marco Arlati, president of Arcigay Bergamo and member of the national secretariat responsible for sport, following Dexanet Idea Volley's participation in the "Italy in the field against homophobia" initiative, promoted by the association to raise awareness in the world of sport about homophobia and hatred in all its forms.
The bracelet, donated by Gestalt Eventi, is blue, like the Italian national team's color, symbolizing the sports club's stance against homophobia. "We deeply believe that sport, along with families and schools, is one of the places where people are taught to respect and value differences," explained Marco Arlati. "Unfortunately, sport is still one of the environments where coming out is difficult: the project seeks to break down this taboo." The coaches' and athletes' stance is significant, and, as coach Mattia Rigamonti stated, "Dexanet Idea Volley is proud to play its part." The initiative launched in November and extends to all sports teams, of all types and levels. Major clubs have already joined, including Modena Volley, the most successful volleyball club in Italy, and Centurioni Rugby, a club based in Villa Carcina (BS) and competing in the Italian Serie A rugby league. Dexanet Idea Volley thus becomes the second club in the Brescia area to join the project, the first in the city of Brescia. Since sport is not just about clubs but also about enthusiasts, the project is also open to fans, who can join the initiative: in this case, bracelets will be given to all fans, who can wear them during their favorite team's matches and spread the message through social media, using the hashtags #ItaliaInCampoControLomofobia and #ScendoInCampo. All participating sports clubs and fan groups can send their requests to sport@arcigay.it or by calling 3478664745. They will then be uploaded to the project map on the institutional website, at www.arcigaysport.it/sports. In the coming days, a page dedicated to Dexanet Idea Volley, the first volleyball team in Brescia to join the project, will also be launched.
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