Time for Gay Football Players to Come Out?

[Aseros]

Matt Jarvis seems to think so, and I agree. I hope somebody comes out soon and sets the chain in motion.

Premier League - Is football ready for openly gay players? - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

 

[zeetha]

The first (few) will have to be quite mentally strong as the vocal idiot-minority will no doubt cause a lot of abuse to go their way. I do hope it happens soon though - there have (statistically) to be some, and they shouldn't have to hide in this day and age.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

There's only one that has come out isn't their, apart from Justin- the Norwegian kid.

 

[SeagullSongs]

I've got nothing against them coming out, or homosexuality in general, but why do they need to come out at all? Surely the sexuality of any footballer is no one's business but their own?

Just don't see why being straight or gay matters enough to mention it

 

[Napper]

Not worth the hassle they will get

 

[strings]

This isn't just a football issue - Gareth Thomas was in semi-retirement before he came out. Although Nigel Owens, the Welsh Rugby Union ref is openly gay.

Nevertheless, I think Matt Jarvis is right. [MENTION=19028]zeetha[/MENTION] talks sense too - the first person to come out will have to be very mentally strong.

[edit] - Joey Barton (of all people) has spoken a lot of sense on this subject in the past.

 

[Worthingite]

I don't care what their sexual preferences are, if CMS wanted to hang out the back of a pony, I wouldn't give a monkeys so long as he was doing the business on the pitch. IMO it's a "taboo" that's just not there, why should anyone give a shit whether player x is gay, straight or indifferent?? The only thing I care about is the quality of their play.

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

not worth the hassle they will get

this.......... Carry on hiding

 

[Hungry Joe]

Difficult one this. I'm not convinced that outing has any tangible effect on homophobia. If you're stupid/mixed-up enough to be homophobic in the first place, seeing a gay footballer declare his sexuality openely isn't going to suddenly change your attitude or behaviour. The whole role model thing is blown way out of proportion imho. It certainly wouldn't decrease homophobic chanting etc at games, it is more likely to increase it due to their being more targets for victimisation. What will continue to change things is peer pressure. We'll never get the point where everybody just shrugs their shoulders when they find out someone is gay, but the more people that do the better, and the knock-on effect will continue. The fact that anyone feels compelled to air their sexual orientation in public is systematic of a tacit acceptance of homophobia in the first place, otherwise why is it anyone else's business?

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

I don't care what their sexual preferences are, if CMS wanted to hang out the back of a pony, I wouldn't give a monkeys so long as he was doing the business on the pitch. IMO it's a "taboo" that's just not there, why should anyone give a shit whether player x is gay, straight or indifferent?? The only thing I care about is the quality of their play.

YOU'LL FIND THAT OUT WHEN cms is HANGING OUT THE BACK OF YOUR PONY

 

[Napper]

If there is a gay footballer and they are thick skinned then they could certainly make a lot of money out of being the first out the closet

 

[Arthur]

Assuming there are gay footballers out there do you think they will walk off the pitch if they get homophobic abuse?

If so will this prevent us signing one in the next 10 years?

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

If there is a gay footballer and they are thick skinned then they could certainly make a lot of money out of being the first out the closet

fore skin

 

[Napper]

Not a good idea, considering how long it is taking football to overcome racism. A player coming out would forever be in the tabloids and the amount of homophobic abuse he'd get both on and off the pitch would be unmanageable.

Papers could have some marvelous pun headlines though

 

[tweenster]

I've got nothing against them coming out, or homosexuality in general, but why do they need to come out at all? Surely the sexuality of any footballer is no one's business but their own?

Just don't see why being straight or gay matters enough to mention it

I agree with you entirely. Unfortunately, I also believe a minority will make something bad out of it.

 

[Arthritic Toe]

I've got nothing against them coming out, or homosexuality in general, but why do they need to come out at all? Surely the sexuality of any footballer is no one's business but their own?

Just don't see why being straight or gay matters enough to mention it

Agree - its irrelevant. If a player chooses to 'come out' and they receive abuse, then it should be condemned with the same fervor as racial abuse. However, whether they should or should not come out is entirely irrelevant to football - its a matter for the individual.

 

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

Indeed at the moment they are known as a "footballer" if they come out then its "gay footballer" and thats not what its about. People shouldnt be defined by their sexuality.

 

[00snook]

Surely the only thing that matters about footballers is how well they play football.

Gay, straight, ACDC, who cares.

Come out if you wanna. Dont if you dont. Just play well and the crowd will still love you.

 

[beorhthelm]

i find it counter-productive that we insist players come out, assuming there are gay players.

 

[BigGully]

What is it with people requiring confirmation of someone's sexuality.

Generally, especially here in Brighton most people are at ease with homosexuality, so I cannot think of any reason why this might progress the issue, if one actually exists.

Why should a footballer be defined by his sexuality anyway