Two ripped rugby studs, Giacomo and Stefano, lock lips on the cover of an Italian sports mag. SportWeek’s latest issue doesn’t pull punches—the headline jabs: “Who’s afraid of a kiss?” Public reaction? Split like a pizza some maniac wants to slap pineapple on.
These dudes (Giacomo and Stefan) aren’t just posing for the gram: they’re a real couple, both playing for Libera Rugby Club, Italy’s first gay-friendly rugby squad. The mag’s mission is crystal: smash the stubborn homophobia still squatting in the sports world, branded the “last taboo.” But did it land?
Social media went feral since the cover dropped last Friday. Not everyone roared in rage, though. Plenty cheered SportWeek’s balls for standing up to bigotry.
Italy’s lagging hard on this: the only Western European country where same-sex partnerships get zero legal love. Sure, in this conservative Catholic joint the convo’s finally revving up, thanks to Ireland and the US shaking things up. Hell, last month the lower house told the government to draft civil unions for gays. That’s something!
Sports stay quieter than a bear den in winter: the first Italian athlete to come out loud was hockey goalie Nicole Bonamino—way back in 2012. So, SportWeek, mad respect for the swing! Hope this cover pumps more jocks to own who they are. One kiss never broke anybody, right?
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