Futbolista – Jonny Garza Villa

Gabriel, or Gabi for short, has wanted to be a pro soccer player (or football player, if you say it correctly) for as long as he can remember. As he enters his freshman year of college ball, he quickly becomes a standout player and it seems that dream may become a reality. But then, Vale enters his life.

Vale is Gabe’s philosophy classmate, a classmate he may or may not have made out with at a frat party once. Philosophy not being Gabriel’s best subject, Vale agrees to start tutoring him – and the relationship quickly blossoms, causing Gabriel to confront his bisexuality. This realization, however, would come with dangerous consequences. For a POC athlete, coming out could mean giving up his dream.

“Because I know for a fact that my people aren’t ready. Fans can be great, and Mexicans are some of the best football fans in the world. But I also know they come with their fill of homophobia. I- nah. There’s no room for a brown, bi, Mexicano futbolista. – excerpt from Futbolista

In Futbolista, Jonny Garza Villa highlights the extra challenges that queer POC face in the coming out process, and how many are forced to remain closeted in the same of safety. As I was reading, I could help but think Futbolista is exactly why we need more queer stories to come specifically from a POC lens. For many who are hiding their identity – they aren’t living a lie. They are simply trying to survive. Or, in the case of our protagonist in Futbolista, trying to chase their dreams while being the authentic version of themselves.