Same sex relationships

O

Ollygon

Well-known member
As I've been watching the Women's World Cup, I've googled quite a few of the players.

It comes as no surprise that quite a few of them are in same sex relationships.

...and yet we still have just Jake Daniels and one or two others in the men's game.

When will ALL football supporters be grown up enough to accept gay footballers? I don't think it matters to the younger generation, its just those of a certain age.
 
Yeah, it’s predominantly (not exclusively) an older generation thing. Some generations were told that it was something to be ashamed of, so not especially surprising. Similar to racism and segregation. Each generation, thankfully, gets more and more accepting of people with different sexual preferences, ethnicity and so on.

Interestingly, I think women’s football with help speed up the process of acceptance of differing sexualities in the men’s game.
 
Ollygon said:
As I've been watching the Women's World Cup, I've googled quite a few of the players.

It comes as no surprise that quite a few of them are in same sex relationships.

...and yet we still have just Jake Daniels and one or two others in the men's game.

When will ALL football supporters be grown up enough to accept gay footballers? I don't think it matters to the younger generation, its just those of a certain age.
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Some of the replies to this thread will probably give you an idea how far we are off.

Edit: right on cue!
 
Whilst I care absolutely not one bit about the sexuality of the players in either the men or women’s game I think it’s ridiculous how few male footballers have come out as gay - whilst playing. Purely from a statistical perspective you’d expect there to be many many more - and it to be somewhat reflective of society in general. It’s the fact there’s clearly some barriers that just shouldn’t exist but still do that bothers me - as clearly gay players don’t feel comfortable enough yet to be themselves openly or gay boys and men aren’t welcomed into the sport. I worry about my nephew and his friends and wonder that if any of them happen to be gay whether the world will be a kind place to them. It shouldnt be an issue in 2023. A person should just be able to be who they are and feel comfortable. It’s important therefore that gay players do come out and make it public though - that’s how it becomes normalised and that’s how in the future posts like this just won’t be needed
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
Yes so what does it matter if they are gay or straight

I couldn't tell you what England Women players are gay or straight as I couldn't care less and I watch a lot of Women's football with my daughter
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It shouldn't matter for you, or any of us for that matter. But it does/should matter that people feel free to be whatever they want to be and are not afraid to live how they want to.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
Whilst I care absolutely not one bit about the sexuality of the players in either the men or women’s game I think it’s ridiculous how few male footballers have come out as gay - whilst playing. Purely from a statistical perspective you’d expect there to be many many more - and it to be somewhat reflective of society in general. It’s the fact there’s clearly some barriers that just shouldn’t exist but still do that bothers me - as clearly gay players don’t feel comfortable enough yet to be themselves openly or gay boys and men aren’t welcomed into the sport. I worry about my nephew and his friends and wonder that if any of them happen to be gay whether the world will be a kind place to them. It shouldnt be an issue in 2023. A person should just be able to be who they are and feel comfortable. It’s important therefore that gay players do come out and make it public though - that’s how it becomes normalised and that’s how in the future posts like this just won’t be needed
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So why mention it. I don't recall any player saying they're heterosexual
 
Halifax71 said:
So why mention it. I don't recall any player saying they're heterosexual
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It’s mentioned because football isn’t yet a welcoming place for gay men in particular. It’s a topic that’s still current. It’s a topic that’s current because there’s an issue. And there’s plenty of coverage of heterosexual footballers tbh. Hence the whole ‘WAG’ culture of the last couple of decades

There’s been a couple of hundered England players in the last 20 years and I’d imagine most of those have had their sexuality, their wife or girlfriend discussed in a media article of some sort - yet not a single one has had a boyfriend or husband… from a purely statistical point of view that’s incredibly unlikely
 
Jdseacidre81 said:
Why do we need to know who's straight n who isn't. I'm there to watch football. Not get blm, lgbt etc shoved down my throat
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Agree why are people obsessed with what you do in bed .Its got nothing to do with everyone else and most of us do not care . This pride thing really cheeses me off being rammed down our throats why is gay sex more important than straight sex or sex with blowup dolls for instance . . Whatever you like in the bedroom is a personal matter and one act is no better than another in fact i think its out of order and offensive to ram it down people throats
 
Gay guy here and I'll give you my perspective (for what it's worth).
Why is it important to hear about gay people in any sport? Because it's an inspiration to others, it makes inclusion more acceptable and it means in Jake's case that he's getting some important messages across because he's been so open.
I agree with @Phil_bfc deux - I don't care if someone is straight, gay, black or a Star Wars fan - in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter. Everyone knows I'm gay at work but no one ever makes a big deal of it. However, to put that in perspective with what we're talking about, a young lad who I worked with who was struggling with coming out came to me for advice. Surely that can only be a good thing?
So yes it doesn't matter who or what you are however if you are prepared to discuss that and show that in this case football is a sport for everyone then if it helps or inspires one other person then that can only be a good thing.
 
Mr_Brightside said:
Gay guy here and I'll give you my perspective (for what it's worth).
Why is it important to hear about gay people in any sport? Because it's an inspiration to others, it makes inclusion more acceptable and it means in Jake's case that he's getting some important messages across because he's been so open.
I agree with @Phil_bfc deux - I don't care if someone is straight, gay, black or a Star Wars fan - in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter. Everyone knows I'm gay at work but no one ever makes a big deal of it. However, to put that in perspective with what we're talking about, a young lad who I worked with who was struggling with coming out came to me for advice. Surely that can only be a good thing?
So yes it doesn't matter who or what you are however if you are prepared to discuss that and show that in this case football is a sport for everyone then if it helps or inspires one other person then that can only be a good thing.
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Well said. Seems to me the ones that always bring up this topic are the only ones who it seems to bother.
 
Mr_Brightside said:
Gay guy here and I'll give you my perspective (for what it's worth).
Why is it important to hear about gay people in any sport? Because it's an inspiration to others, it makes inclusion more acceptable and it means in Jake's case that he's getting some important messages across because he's been so open.
I agree with @Phil_bfc deux - I don't care if someone is straight, gay, black or a Star Wars fan - in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter. Everyone knows I'm gay at work but no one ever makes a big deal of it. However, to put that in perspective with what we're talking about, a young lad who I worked with who was struggling with coming out came to me for advice. Surely that can only be a good thing?
So yes it doesn't matter who or what you are however if you are prepared to discuss that and show that in this case football is a sport for everyone then if it helps or inspires one other person then that can only be a good thing.
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Yeah I get that I just don't see why there is this fascination of always knowing other people's business

When I was 16 I worked in men's fashion and I was in a minority of being straight in the company I worked for. It didn't matter one jot to me or my co workers

And we certainly didn't tell our customers
 
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I believe in modern parlance it's called 'virtue signalling' ....

Anyone with a brain doesn't give two hoots what your orientation is nowadays.

Gay, straight, bi ... if you're any good at football you'll do OK.
 
I’m not sure it would be statistically impossible for footballers to buck the typical ‘statistical’ norm as far as sexuality is concerned. In fact I can see plenty of reasons why that might be the case (for example, gay men might not feel comfortable or welcome in the sport).

I can understand why it might be good to have some role models and why it might be important to break down certain taboos or barriers.

As far as I’m concerned myself, I’m not that interested in other peoples sexuality. I might be if I was interested in dating them, but beyond that it’s not something I’d focus too much attention on really.

I’d be supportive of any footballer who did feel that they wanted to ‘come out’ though👍
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
I'm not bothered either way I just watch football it doesn't matter if someone is gay or not

Why should it matter?

I don't understand the OP
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So, you're a little hard of the understanding then?

If you don't get the post, that makes it all the more pertinent.
 
Please don't assume that it is all the older generation. Don't tar us all with the same brush.

What I, as an older person, can't understand is why we, as a country seem to promote gay marches, taking the knee and so on yet if a white person speaks up about it they are immediately cast out as being racist or homophobic. I believe in live and let live.
 
Ollygon said:
So, you're a little hard of the understanding then?

If you don't get the post, that makes it all the more pertinent.
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I don't understand why you are saying that supporters don't accept gay footballers

What's that based on?

If Gay footballers don't want to be know as Gay that's their business is it not?
 
Tango1953 said:
Representation matters:



Phew, straight middle-aged white man hasn’t been prejudiced, that’s a relief. Now we can work on ensuring other demographics have the same luxury.
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Who's been prejudiced on this thread?

I must have missed it or are the OP and you just basing any argument on a massive generalisation with fcuk all to back up your half arsed argument
 
Ollygon said:
As I've been watching the Women's World Cup, I've googled quite a few of the players.

It comes as no surprise that quite a few of them are in same sex relationships.

...and yet we still have just Jake Daniels and one or two others in the men's game.

When will ALL football supporters be grown up enough to accept gay footballers? I don't think it matters to the younger generation, its just those of a certain age.
Click to expand...
Are you an ageist
 
Grayth said:
Some of the replies to this thread will probably give you an idea how far we are off.

Edit: right on cue!
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And to be honest there shouldn't be an issue about anyone's sexuality, race or religion but its constantly brought up time and time again.
Is it any wonder certain replies are left?
If nothing is posted about those subjects then people won't get offended when hurty words are posted.
🤷
Unfortunately it's easy for people to be offended at absolutely everything in todays society, so one shouldn't be surprised either way.
 
"When will ALL football supporters be grown up enough to accept gay footballers? I don't think it matters to the younger generation, its just those of a certain age"

If the above isn't a half arsed stupid ageist generalisation then I don't know what it

An OP calling out intolerance yet stating the above

How thick can you get?
 
Im not bothered if footballers or anyone else for that matter come out openly or they don't.
I'd like to think they would feel that they can without fear of prejuduce but also I think it's important to not try to force it onto people as something that is expected of them to do.
Ultimately respect an individual's right to choose what they want to do whilst giving them the environment where they can choose without fear.
 
Jdseacidre81 said:
Why do we need to know who's straight n who isn't. I'm there to watch football. Not get blm, lgbt etc shoved down my throat
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Oh but it were that straightforward. The fact is that male footballers who are gay still get ostracised, bullied and ridiculed by their peers - their teammates and many others in the game. Publicising the good aspects of tolerance towards gay men in football helps to normalise it. I hope that in years to come there won't be an issue and, as you put it, these things won't get shoved down our throats. For now, there is still much work to be done.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
Oh but it were that straightforward. The fact is that male footballers who are gay still get ostracised, bullied and ridiculed by their peers - their teammates and many others in the game. Publicising the good aspects of tolerance towards gay men in football helps to normalise it. I hope that in years to come there won't be an issue and, as you put it, these things won't get shoved down our throats. For now, there is still much work to be done.
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Sorry what facts?
 
1966_and_all_that said:
When Jake Daniels came out there was much discussion on TV about the difficulties faced by male footballers. people like Gary Neville and others were discussing the difficulties and I am prepared to take them at their word.
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Sorry have you got any proper facts to back up the below statement

"fact is that male footballers who are gay still get ostracised, bullied and ridiculed by their peers - their teammates and many others in the game"
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
Sorry have you got any proper facts to back up the below statement

"fact is that male footballers who are gay still get ostracised, bullied and ridiculed by their peers - their teammates and many others in the game"
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Again, you're over-reaching yourself Phil. Has any footballer spoken to me direct and shown me secretly filmed footage of gay footballers suffering these indignities? No. But, I watch and hear what experienced people in the football word say and I am ready to believe it happens. If you're not prepared to believe third hand accounts of anything then there is no point in reading non-fiction books, or listening to what experts have to say. Me, I like to be open about the information I receive, be it 1st or 3rd hand, then make up my mind accordingly.
 
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1966_and_all_that said:
Again, you're over-reaching yourself Phil. Has any footballer spoken to me direct and shown me secretly filmed footage of gay footballers suffering these indignities? No. But, I watch and here what experienced people in the football word say and I am ready to believe it happens. If you're not prepared to believe third hand accounts of anything then there is no point in reading non-fiction books, or listening to what experts have to say. Me, I like to be open about the information I receive, be it 1st or 3rd hand, then make up my mind accordingly.
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Does Jake Daniels feel ostracised, bullied and ridiculed?

I'm sure If he did we would know about it, given he's one of the only current male gay footballers
 
"Over the years, I’ve probably bit my tongue a few too many times — both in dressing rooms and on social media — whenever I hear homophobic comments or stupid things being said. And I think maybe my brother has done the same, thinking it would make my life easier"

www.theplayerstribune.com

Oh Shut Up, Ramsdale! | By Aaron Ramsdale

I want this game I love to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
www.theplayerstribune.com www.theplayerstribune.com

Good article in general, touches on the prevalence of homophobia still being an acceptable part of the locker room culture.
 
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