Homophobia in football
- Thread starter roy.or.r
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Kind of is, when the purpose of the armband is pretty much to stand up against homophobia.
What other reason would someone have to not wear it?
dronefromsector7G
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Why do they choose not to wear it? Please explain using more words than ‘it’s their choice’ or ‘it’s a religious thing’
Uncle Wally One Ball
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Some pretty basic thinking that doesnt connect at all has gone into forming that view. Of course it doesnt
Ohrodneyrodney
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No need to use more words. “It’s their choice” just about covers it.
I have absolutely no idea but choosing not to wear something is not discrimination in the eyes of the law, that's just a simple fact.
But a question for you, if someone said "‘it’s their choice’ or ‘it’s a religious thing’" what's your issue with that?
I have absolutely no idea but choosing not to wear something is not discrimination in the eyes of the law, that's just a simple fact.
My wife chooses not to wear a poppy for no other reason other than she doesn't want to wear a poppy.
The perfect fumble
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You think?
There's more wrapped up in those rainbow laces than you might think, if you start to talk about it, see how long the conversation lasts.
What's a good reason to not want to wear it then, in your view?
Your wife doesn't have her workplace coming up asking her to wear it, to show that she is against some forms of inequality.
This isn't not wearing something because she doesn't feel like it. It's actively wanting to go against wearing something (which is there to defend and support a minority who receive abuse) when asked to. It's a bit different.
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I attended a panel discussion years ago when Crystal Palace launched their gay supporters group years ago and it was discussed then that it's probably down to a mixture of factors. Obviously there are players out there who are hiding it but the saddest take away was that lots of gay footballers give up the game in their teens. Obvs there's the fear of abuse from the terraces or reaction from their teammates but there's also less obvious stuff that is just a bit too much to deal with at that age.
For example, if you're the best footballer in your year and you're playing at one the academies, you're kind of expected to be one of the popular kids and have a girlfriend etc. If you're getting asked out by all of the girls at school but resisting then it starts to get noticed at a time when a lot of kids aren't ready to come out. Rather than deal with that situation some boys decide to give up sport all together so they can just fade into the background a bit more.
I think Andy Brassell explained it very well on the ramble:
bsky.app
Basically if you aren't willing to welcome everyone from the community into your football club then you shouldn't be captain.
As I said, the clubs, both Ipswich and United should have been stronger.
Football Ramble (@footballramble.bsky.social)
"As the captain of a football club you owe it to your community to say everyone is welcome." Andy gives his take on the Rainbow Laces armband controversy. Listen to the Football Ramble lnk.to/ramble
bsky.app
Basically if you aren't willing to welcome everyone from the community into your football club then you shouldn't be captain.
As I said, the clubs, both Ipswich and United should have been stronger.
Actually given my wife's position (Finance Director) and the industry she works in (media-BBC) she does have her workplace (well the board) asking her to wear one, she respectfully declines.
I reiterate, deciding not to wear something is not discrimination as defined by UK law.
A poppy though is seen these days as more of a choice.
The rainbow armband is support for a minority who regularly receive abuse.
Again, it's different - and no, it may not be discriminatory in law, but to turn that down, says something about the person.
It's of no importance of anyone to express their sexuality, take it to the next level, do you think "straight" players should say what floats their boat in the bedroom? No, it doesn't matter, if any players are gay it matters not a jot if they don't declare it, it's their business and theirs alone.
cheekybids
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That’s an interesting theory & not something I’d given any thought to. I knew a lot of good players that lacked ambition / focus so it makes sense.
That backs up that there may not be high level players afraid of coming out but that there’s loads boring partners that they were better than Messi ;)
It's pretty irrelevant in my opinion, why do people think they need to support a cause like this? We all know gays and lesbians are out there, they're a pretty tough community who support each other.
I have two friends who are lesbians, great girls who don't give two fucks about the rainbow shite, they come into our local, have a laugh with our mainly male mates. Honestly, those offended are proxy sympathisers, live in the real world, my friends are just normal people living normal lives and have never been on the receiving end of homophobia.
Never? Blimey. Have they told you that?
The armband is pretty much about being against homophobia and other intolerances.
If you aren't against something like that, you're for it. Theres no 'inbetween - what would that be? "I'm mostly against homophobia but in certain circumstances I think it's fine"?
eyalluvitt
Well-Known Member
United fans are free to support their team but can’t force City fans to wear one of their shirts In solidarity
eyalluvitt
Well-Known Member
The first player in English football brave enough to wear rainbow laces, sir Joey of Barton