Homophobia in football

[Mon Autre]

Why is it sad?

Do you think there’s a talent not being given a chance because he’s gay or do you think they are hiding it?

The fact that there’s very few openly gay ex players although admittedly more makes me think it’s not that big an issue.

I do support the rainbow laces rounds & think it helps with conversations.

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.

 

[MCFC1993]

I think Andy Brassell explained it very well on the ramble:

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.

 

[blueste41]

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, when asked to. It's a bit different.

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.

 

[mattcity5]

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.

 

[hammocity]

Instead of these empty gestures I think we should be questioning why , as we approach the year 2025, there are still next to no openly gay footballers. We should be questioning why they are afraid to be open about their sexuality. That is the scandal here and not someone refusing to wear an armband

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]

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.

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 ;)

 

[hammocity]

What's a good reason to not want to wear it then, in your view?

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.

 

[mattcity5]

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]

I don't believe that at all. Do you think any footballer on the planet would have a problem wearing a captain's armband promoting Cancer Research or anti-bullying? The only reason people object to this one it because they object to the cause, not because they object to the idea of football being used to promote causes. And if you disagree, find me one example of a player who refuses to take part in any and all campaigns.

United fans are free to support their team but can’t force City fans to wear one of their shirts In solidarity

 

[eyalluvitt]

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.

The first player in English football brave enough to wear rainbow laces, sir Joey of Barton