[Albion] Homophobic Chanting

[Neville's Breakfast]

While not particularly nice, I don't think "mothers" and "champagne paedos" are historically oppressed groups. Jobless people perhaps, but that is an entirely different category. Being unemployed isn't quite something you're born into (you can get a job; you can not turn hetereosexual, you can not turn white). Being of a specific race or having a certain sexuality is a biological thing, which unavoidably becomes (in varying degree) a part of your identity. If people say that your shirt is ugly, it is not nice but if you start feeling bad about it, you can change your shirt. If people say your face is ugly, it will eventually cause you real issues if enough people say it often enough.

I've been unemployed often, repeatedly and sometimes for extended amounts of time but if some stranger bullied me about it, I would maybe be annoyed but it isn't really a part of me, so it can not reach my emotional core. Its not the same thing as bullying someone for being gay or black or similar (at least previously) oppressed minority.

It’s about stereotyping. It’s kind of ironic for Brighton fans to be calling Northerners dirty etc for the actions of a minority in stereotyping Brighton fans. Makes it all a bit pointless.

 

[aolstudios]

just banter isn’t it

Nope

 

[Czechmate]

Sticks and stones my friends , lot better than what happened in the 70’s , 80’s etc , get a grip and man up you tarts

 

[Robinjakarta]

Who cares, get over it, says straight white man Figgis, who is showing himself up to be a bit of a c***

Is showing? Been doing it for years.

 

[Grizz]

Actually, being a gay Brighton fan, it affected me for years. Throughout the mid/late 90s, early 00s I repressed it a lot, hid it from everyone and always had that sinking feeling in my stomach whenever the chanting started, both from the opposition and our replies. It would feel like there were thousands of eyes focused solely on me and that they somehow knew. When I finally came out at 29 all my footy mates stopped with the chanting, made them feel really uncomfortable, as all of a sudden it had real world consequences to one of their mates.

Am I naive enough to think it'll stop anytime soon? Nah, but if the FA took a genuine stance on it just once it would wipe it out in a second. They just pay lip service to homophobia in football, if that had been racist chanting it would've caused uproar, yet the whole toxic masculinity bullshit of suck it up, it's not offensive it's just banter, means homophobia in football and society will be rampant for years to come.

It just saddens me that young kids, teenagers, young adults and even those of an older generation in that crowd today will still be feeling the way I did back in the 90s.

 

[Czechmate]

Actually, being a gay Brighton fan, it affected me for years. Throughout the mid/late 90s, early 00s I repressed it a lot, hid it from everyone and always had that sinking feeling in my stomach whenever the chanting started, both from the opposition and our replies. It would feel like there were thousands of eyes focused solely on me and that they somehow knew. When I finally came out at 29 all my footy mates stopped with the chanting, made them feel really uncomfortable, as all of a sudden it had real world consequences to one of their mates.

Am I naive enough to think it'll stop anytime soon? Nah, but if the FA took a genuine stance on it just once it would wipe it out in a second. They just pay lip service to homophobia in football, if that had been racist chanting it would've caused uproar, yet the whole toxic masculinity bullshit of suck it up, it's not offensive it's just banter, means homophobia in football and society will be rampant for years to come.

It just saddens me that young kids, teenagers, young adults and even those of an older generation in that crowd today will still be feeling the way I did back in the 90s.

Sorry to hear that Grizz , and i don’t agree with the homophobic chanting , but christ , people are dying all over the world through wars and starvation , people being stabbed and murdered in the u.k. , people trafficking , under age prostitution , drugs galore ruining people’s lives and you moan about a bit of obscene language ? put it into context

 

[Grizz]

Sorry to hear that Grizz , and i don’t agree with the homophobic chanting , but christ , people are dying all over the world through wars and starvation , people being stabbed and murdered in the u.k. , people trafficking , under age prostitution , drugs galore ruining people’s lives and you moan about a bit of obscene language ? put it into context

Not really, all those things are genuinely horrendous as well, but just because they exist doesn't mean homophobic chanting should take a back seat. I don't expect people to get it, I don't expect people to agree with me, but I do sigh when I read people on here saying it doesn't affect people, it's just banter, my gay friends find it funny (I really doubt they do). I just wanted to give a perspective from someone who went through it and who is gay, that's all

 

[BadFish]

Actually, being a gay Brighton fan, it affected me for years. Throughout the mid/late 90s, early 00s I repressed it a lot, hid it from everyone and always had that sinking feeling in my stomach whenever the chanting started, both from the opposition and our replies. It would feel like there were thousands of eyes focused solely on me and that they somehow knew. When I finally came out at 29 all my footy mates stopped with the chanting, made them feel really uncomfortable, as all of a sudden it had real world consequences to one of their mates.

Am I naive enough to think it'll stop anytime soon? Nah, but if the FA took a genuine stance on it just once it would wipe it out in a second. They just pay lip service to homophobia in football, if that had been racist chanting it would've caused uproar, yet the whole toxic masculinity bullshit of suck it up, it's not offensive it's just banter, means homophobia in football and society will be rampant for years to come.

It just saddens me that young kids, teenagers, young adults and even those of an older generation in that crowd today will still be feeling the way I did back in the 90s.

Thanks for giving your perspective and I am sorry that you have had to go through that.

There is no place for it in football. This should be the end of it, unfortunately some are taking a long time to get the memo.

 

[BadFish]

Actually, being a gay Brighton fan, it affected me for years. Throughout the mid/late 90s, early 00s I repressed it a lot, hid it from everyone and always had that sinking feeling in my stomach whenever the chanting started, both from the opposition and our replies. It would feel like there were thousands of eyes focused solely on me and that they somehow knew. When I finally came out at 29 all my footy mates stopped with the chanting, made them feel really uncomfortable, as all of a sudden it had real world consequences to one of their mates.

Am I naive enough to think it'll stop anytime soon? Nah, but if the FA took a genuine stance on it just once it would wipe it out in a second. They just pay lip service to homophobia in football, if that had been racist chanting it would've caused uproar, yet the whole toxic masculinity bullshit of suck it up, it's not offensive it's just banter, means homophobia in football and society will be rampant for years to come.

It just saddens me that young kids, teenagers, young adults and even those of an older generation in that crowd today will still be feeling the way I did back in the 90s.

duplo

 

[hart's shirt]

I don't expect people to get it, I don't expect people to agree with me

Grizz, I think most people on NSC do get it.

And on reading what you've personally shared, I hope that most would agree with you here.

 

[BadFish]

Grizz, I think most people on NSC do get it.

And on reading what you've personally shared, I hope that most would agree with you here.

The vocal minority may seem like we don't though.

But yeah we do.

 

[BN41Albion]

Actually, being a gay Brighton fan, it affected me for years. Throughout the mid/late 90s, early 00s I repressed it a lot, hid it from everyone and always had that sinking feeling in my stomach whenever the chanting started, both from the opposition and our replies. It would feel like there were thousands of eyes focused solely on me and that they somehow knew. When I finally came out at 29 all my footy mates stopped with the chanting, made them feel really uncomfortable, as all of a sudden it had real world consequences to one of their mates.

Am I naive enough to think it'll stop anytime soon? Nah, but if the FA took a genuine stance on it just once it would wipe it out in a second. They just pay lip service to homophobia in football, if that had been racist chanting it would've caused uproar, yet the whole toxic masculinity bullshit of suck it up, it's not offensive it's just banter, means homophobia in football and society will be rampant for years to come.

It just saddens me that young kids, teenagers, young adults and even those of an older generation in that crowd today will still be feeling the way I did back in the 90s.

Thank you for sharing and giving your perspective. As @BadFish said, it's so shit you've had to go through that and still do today when most of society has moved on.

Now @figgis et al really can stfu with the it's only bantz/my gay mate would just laugh rhetoric - still can't believe there are still fully grown(?) folk out there who still seriously think like that.

 

[Sheebo]

Actually, being a gay Brighton fan, it affected me for years. Throughout the mid/late 90s, early 00s I repressed it a lot, hid it from everyone and always had that sinking feeling in my stomach whenever the chanting started, both from the opposition and our replies. It would feel like there were thousands of eyes focused solely on me and that they somehow knew. When I finally came out at 29 all my footy mates stopped with the chanting, made them feel really uncomfortable, as all of a sudden it had real world consequences to one of their mates.

Am I naive enough to think it'll stop anytime soon? Nah, but if the FA took a genuine stance on it just once it would wipe it out in a second. They just pay lip service to homophobia in football, if that had been racist chanting it would've caused uproar, yet the whole toxic masculinity bullshit of suck it up, it's not offensive it's just banter, means homophobia in football and society will be rampant for years to come.

It just saddens me that young kids, teenagers, young adults and even those of an older generation in that crowd today will still be feeling the way I did back in the 90s.

shhh this thread isn’t for you and your direct feelings - man up

One thing I will add, it is rarely heard or seen in the stadiums now - great - but also why yesterday stood out to me tbh. Was like a throwback to the bad times.

 

[Seagull27]

It’s about stereotyping. It’s kind of ironic for Brighton fans to be calling Northerners dirty etc for the actions of a minority in stereotyping Brighton fans. Makes it all a bit pointless.

Can you really not see the difference between homophobic chanting and chanting about Northerners being dirty?

How many Northerners do you think don't attend football games because they're uncomfortable/upset with anti-Northern chants?

 

[Deleted member 37369]

Actually, being a gay Brighton fan, it affected me for years. Throughout the mid/late 90s, early 00s I repressed it a lot, hid it from everyone and always had that sinking feeling in my stomach whenever the chanting started, both from the opposition and our replies. It would feel like there were thousands of eyes focused solely on me and that they somehow knew. When I finally came out at 29 all my footy mates stopped with the chanting, made them feel really uncomfortable, as all of a sudden it had real world consequences to one of their mates.

Am I naive enough to think it'll stop anytime soon? Nah, but if the FA took a genuine stance on it just once it would wipe it out in a second. They just pay lip service to homophobia in football, if that had been racist chanting it would've caused uproar, yet the whole toxic masculinity bullshit of suck it up, it's not offensive it's just banter, means homophobia in football and society will be rampant for years to come.

It just saddens me that young kids, teenagers, young adults and even those of an older generation in that crowd today will still be feeling the way I did back in the 90s.

If those on here that reckon it’s just ‘bantz’ still think it’s ‘bantz’ after reading your superb post … then heaven help us.

When we first got to our seats yesterday, I saw the ‘flag’ Leeds had in the corner of the stadium just below us which was their sad and pathetic attempt at showing support for the gay community. The O from Marching On Together was in rainbow colours. But it was so crumpled and positioned in such a way as to say we’ve got this here because we have to.

In April last year, I reported a homophobic incident I saw after leaving the Arsenal away game. I got in touch with Gay Gooners via Twitter on the coach journey home and they responded to me immediately and said they’d take it up with the club. There were reports of other incidents too and the club issued a statement on their website which was also covered by the BBC.

Homophobic abuse at Brighton fixture

We utterly condemn the homophobic abuse suffered by supporters during Saturday's match at Emirates Stadium

www.arsenal.com

I have seen/heard pockets of homophobia at a number of grounds - but none as blatant as Leeds. As I said in my earlier post on it - it was in the faces of stewards and police who seemed to do absolutely nothing.

Will we see a statement from Leeds? I very much doubt it. Shame on Leeds and shame on our supporters that just laugh it off.

Oh … and on the point some have rightly made about some of the songs we sang back at them yesterday. I joined in with all the positive songs about our great club. I did not - and will not - join in songs of abuse … even against Palace.

 

[maltaseagull]

No excuses - loud as ever on the stream from hundreds or thousands Leeds ‘fans’.

Holding hands and down on your boyfriend. Disgraceful and should be made an example of in the press (but doubt they will). f***ing scum.

It's wrong in every way but ,sadly, some clubs have a bunch of morons who find that amusing.
Perhaps the Premier League needs to take a stand and close grounds for these offenses.
Drastic? Maybe, but it would be effective.

 

[Originunknown]

You know you're up North with some of the chants yesterday but par for the course, they're a few decades behind. Completely different breed, some real thick natives. If you were offended yesterday I'd give Burnley a miss next season.

By that same token it was good to go to a proper old school ground, a high pressure game, really tough place to go and play; a great away day.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Sorry to hear that Grizz , and i don’t agree with the homophobic chanting , but christ , people are dying all over the world through wars and starvation , people being stabbed and murdered in the u.k. , people trafficking , under age prostitution , drugs galore ruining people’s lives and you moan about a bit of obscene language ? put it into context

Context is that the suicide rate in gay men is the highest of any social group in Britain.
A bit of obscene language can have a devastating effect on someone’s mental health.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

It’s about stereotyping. It’s kind of ironic for Brighton fans to be calling Northerners dirty etc for the actions of a minority in stereotyping Brighton fans. Makes it all a bit pointless.

Leeds have been known as a dirty team for very hard tackles, and foul play for decades.
The other connotation of dirty means living in hovels. Dirty can be a choice. Get a wash or clean up your act.

Gay people can’t change themselves any more than black people can change their skin.

 

[BadFish]

Thank you for sharing and giving your perspective. As @BadFish said, it's so shit you've had to go through that and still do today when most of society has moved on.

Now @figgis et al really can stfu with the it's only bantz/my gay mate would just laugh rhetoric - still can't believe there are still fully grown(?) folk out there who still seriously think like that.

Some options are worth more than others. Grizz's eloquent post of his experiences trump the it's just Bantz , that's too easy to say when it's your identity being chanted about.

Gone (and good riddance) to the days when we are not supposed to feel anything about anything. Honesty and openness is much better than repression and internalisation.