UK's first active male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay

[FightLikeAGirl]

Oh yeah, because it's not like Roberto Firmino exists. So much for them being right-on, but then they're the same twats who think the entire Chelsea squad are gay too.

 

[eyalluvitt]

The World Cup has just been held in a country where homosexuality is illegal, so I'd say it's still a huge social issue.

In Qatar maybe, but in England, the worlds most tolerant nation ,not so much. You probably get more day to day abuse being a City fan or a Trainspotter.

 

[SK14BLUE]

In Qatar maybe, but in England, the worlds most tolerant nation ,not so much. You probably get more day to day abuse being a City fan or a Trainspotter.

The worlds most tolerant nation? Are you sure?

 

[domalino]

In Qatar maybe, but in England, the worlds most tolerant nation ,not so much. You probably get more day to day abuse being a City fan or a Trainspotter.

There's been about 4,500 Premier League players since 1992 and precisely 0 have felt comfortable enough to come out while playing. Add in the rest of the divisions and we're probably looking at 20,000+ and 1 has felt comfortable enough to come out.

So I'd say it's still a pretty big deal.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

There's been about 4,500 Premier League players since 1992 and precisely 0 have felt comfortable enough to come out while playing.

So I'd say it's still a pretty big deal.

I'm not sure it's right to come out while playing. Surely better before/after the game or even at half time?

 

[eyalluvitt]

The worlds most tolerant nation? Are you sure?

I’ve been around a bit and would say so, the changing demographic means that may change.

 

[dronefromsector7G]

I'm not sure it's right to come out while playing. Surely better before/after the game or even at half time?

That’s what the magic sponge is for

 

[FightLikeAGirl]

In Qatar maybe, but in England, the worlds most tolerant nation ,not so much. You probably get more day to day abuse being a City fan or a Trainspotter.

I wish that was true. I’ve been on the receiving end of it. As for the world’s most tolerant nation, I’m not sure the Nazis in Knowsley got that message.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Is it really a big deal if footballers are gay in this day and age? Would anyone batter an eyelid? 20 years ago maybe they would have got some stick!

The fact that there's only about 3 in the world that are open about it suggests that yes, it is still a big deal.

Having said that, it shouldn't be. I really hope that this convinces other to do the same. What would really help is it 9 or 10 all came out following this announcement. When it happens so often it becomes boring and barely worth mentioning, it'll stop being a big deal.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

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I'd say that the vast majority of footballers have probably implicitly told us their sexuality by posting regular updates about their relationships on social media. We've seen (if we care to follow them) photos of most players' wedding days, children, families, girlfriends etc. Hell, we've even got the acronym (is that the right word?) WAGs. But we've never had a gay player doing the same and posting an Instagram picture with their boyfriend or husband. That's really what it's about. Just being able to be the same as everyone else. But for gay people, it's often necessary to announce these things because the world assumes the default is to be straight.

Personally, I don't really give a shit about the personal lives of our players. But that doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with them sharing it.