The Forbidden Number

In Brazil homophobia is so engrained in its culture it even reflects in its most popular sport: soccer. No first division league club uses the jersey number 24 – a number which has been long associated with homosexuality. Brahma beer entered the debate, triggering a huge movement against homophobia. In doing so it provoked Brazil’s biggest clubs into taking unprecedented action: having their best players wear number 24 jerseys. The results were surprising. The players from more than 20 clubs entered the field wearing the shirt number 24.