I would imagine some industries have a higher representation so I don’t believe there are 500+ hiding in the premier league. I support the rainbow laces as a campaign but there is no evidence that there will be a huge amount of gay premier league players but hopefully the campaign helps fight homophobia.
That's an interesting point you make, it's taken as read that gay folk gravitate to certain professions, the arts and so on, but I don't think that's the case.
I believe that in the arts it's easier to be expressive and that extends to ones sexuality, but the gay folk I know come from all walks of life and various professions, the one thing I've noticed is it's easier for the well heeled, the middle classes and the well educated to either come out openly, come out partially to a select circle of friends and confidantes, or to carve a hidden life that runs surreptitiously along side their straight public persona.
As in everything, for younger gays the family is key, and while my knowledge is dated on this aspect, I think it's fair to say it's tougher for working class kids.
But there's a misconception about all this, ones sexuality is an important part of ones life, but in very rare cases is it the defining characteristic of who one is, think about whether your sexuality is your defining characteristic. Nor does it bring a unanimity of thought and purpose.
Just because Lesbians, gays and bisexuals worldwide can suffer persecution, that runs the gamut from mild reproach right through to the death penalty, does not mean gay folk have one unified voice, they don't. The gays I know have given up on Manchester Pride, hate the laces with a passion and despise Stonewall, but they tend to be older gay guys and Lesbians, I don't know so much what younger gay folk think coz I don't know any.
All I'm saying is there's no more one size fits all for gay folk than for any other group, and any organisation or spokesperson who pretends to speak for the whole gay community is doing just that, pretending.
