England player and another Premier League star set to come out as gay

Indeed. But if you feel that the world you live in demands that you keep your sexuality secret, then coming out probably is a badge of honour. I hope we can get to the point where, like in your scenario, no one's bothered either way. But the fact there are gay footballers who don't feel comfortable having the world know who they are is indicative of an issue that can only be solved by open and frank discussion of the underlying issue.
Footballers are probably less inclined to come out not for fear of the general public, but their fear of fellow professionals teasing them daily on a basis for laughs. It's a boys environment.
 
Richard Littlejohn constantly uses the daily mail to abuse homosexual and transgendered individuals. And it's not just what they'd write, it's how their private life would be abused as a result.

Fair enough, I'm not familiar with his writing. I wouldn't have thought you could get away with that here.
 
Hmm.

By doing that though, we would be forced to have a discussion about his sexuality. I don't think we would if it were more organic. People would still think things, as they would regardless. If you are homophobic, a public declaration won't change that. The point is, you will keep it to yourself. At least you should. Frankly, if you don't, there will be consequences. As a black man, I know how much people are scared of being labelled a bigot. I have to constantly tell people that x or y is okay, nobody thinks you hate black people! I doubt any media will openly question a players sexuality. Some still won't like it, but that can't be changed.

I mean, a newspaper would never dream of 'sending cameramen to a players house to shout slurs' because he was gay! Could you imagine that?! They would be sued to heavens for a start, and it is illegal too.
No we wouldn't. People who want to, can. People who don't will just do something else.

:lol: the paparazzi are scum mate, they shout all sorts of shit at people.
 
I mean, Jesus, a PL footballer can't even feck a prostitute without making the front page and having hundreds of paparazi abuse them. Can you imagine if one went to a town square with his boyfriend and kissed him there?
Xisco was pictured kissing a guy and I don't remember hearing much about it. Most people probably never heard about it.
 
I mean, Jesus, a PL footballer can't even feck a prostitute without making the front page and having hundreds of paparazi abuse them. Can you imagine if one went to a town square with his boyfriend and kissed him there?
Not many in the media dare take a negative attitude. This is the UK.
 
I mean, Jesus, a PL footballer can't even feck a prostitute without making the front page and having hundreds of paparazi abuse them. Can you imagine if one went to a town square with his boyfriend and kissed him there?

When did Navas do that? I must have missed that.
 
It's not, yet. And no, I don't. But when that's the treatment they get for sexual adventures, can you imagine if the English media found out a Premier League footballer was being publicly gay? It'd be the end of his private life. Some would write how amazing he is, Richard Littlejohn would write that he's corrupting out youth and the paparazzi would be calling him a fag in the hope that he gets pissed off so they get interesting photos of him. It's a grim situation for someone to put themselves in.

It's stupid but I'm always amazed by the fact that anyone would use homosexuality against someone, I know you are right but I just don't understand.
 
Footballers are probably less inclined to come out not for fear of the general public, but their fear of fellow professionals teasing them daily on a basis for laughs. It's a boys environment.

I might be wrong but I do wonder if EPL clubs would rather players didn't come out as it could impact the brand image in less liberal countries where being gay is still illegal and immoral.

We probably think of the impact too locally when having this discussion.

Here's a map where it's still illegal:
world-map-640p-2-2015-of-78-countries.jpg


I wonder if what sort of repercussions there might be sponsor wise in those counties or if their governments might considering supporting a club that supports it's gay players a bad thing.


Just a thought.
 
I might be wrong but I do wonder if EPL clubs would rather players didn't come out as it could impact the brand image in less liberal countries where being gay is still illegal and immoral.

We probably think of the impact too locally when having this discussion.

Here's a map where it's still illegal:
world-map-640p-2-2015-of-78-countries.jpg


I wonder if what sort of repercussions there might be sponsor wise in those counties or if their governments might considering supporting a club that supports it's gay players a bad thing.


Just a thought.
Although illegal, it's rampant in some of those counties in Red. I don't think it's a clubs decision if players decide to express their sexuality in public. I would think the clubs would be in breach of some law.
 
Although illegal, it's rampant in some of those counties in Red. I don't think it's a clubs decision if players decide to express their sexuality in public. I would think the clubs would be in breach of some law.

You'd hope not anyway. Just something I thought worth considering.
 
When people proclaim other information about themselves, like that they're pregnant, or getting a divorce, or leaving their job, or climbing Mt. Everest, nobody ever says "Who cares? You can climb whatever mountain you want, why would I want to hear about it?" Yet when people declare their sexuality suddenly it's so unnecessary that it verges on unwanted, why ever could that be I wonder?
 
When people proclaim other information about themselves, like that they're pregnant, or getting a divorce, or leaving their job, or climbing Mt. Everest, nobody ever says "Who cares? You can climb whatever mountain you want, why would I want to hear about it?" Yet when people declare their sexuality suddenly it's so unnecessary that it verges on unwanted, why ever could that be I wonder?

All the things you mentioned are either special or to celebrate. Being gay is just being who you are, you were gay before your coming out, it's not like being pregnant or doing something special like climbing the Everest.
If I tell you that I ride 25km-30km once a week, it's not really an event.
 
When people proclaim other information about themselves, like that they're pregnant, or getting a divorce, or leaving their job, or climbing Mt. Everest, nobody ever says "Who cares? You can climb whatever mountain you want, why would I want to hear about it?" Yet when people declare their sexuality suddenly it's so unnecessary that it verges on unwanted, why ever could that be I wonder?
Those are different scenarios.

Do straight guys proclaim their sexuality? Probably easy for me say not having experienced the issues they face. However, If Homosexuals desire to be equals they should act like the rest of society.
 
Those are different scenarios.

Do straight guys proclaim their sexuality? Probably easy for me say not having experienced the issues they face. However, If Homosexuals desire to be equals they should act like the rest of society.

I disagree with that, it's not about being equal but doing what is best for them. If coming out help them, they should do it.
 
I disagree with that, it's not about being equal but doing what is best for them. If coming out help them, they should do it.
That's fair enough. However, that sends a signal which tells the world they're different and a special case and need to make the announcement to make themselves feel better.
 
I might be wrong but I do wonder if EPL clubs would rather players didn't come out as it could impact the brand image in less liberal countries where being gay is still illegal and immoral.

We probably think of the impact too locally when having this discussion.

Here's a map where it's still illegal:
world-map-640p-2-2015-of-78-countries.jpg


I wonder if what sort of repercussions there might be sponsor wise in those counties or if their governments might considering supporting a club that supports it's gay players a bad thing.


Just a thought.
I though was illegal in Russia
 
I though was illegal in Russia

Yeah I thought that too. Apparently not, just any pro-propaganda. Basically a law to imprison anyone who talks about homosexuality and doesn't say it's bad.
 
A gay footballer? What next? A female PM or a black President of the US?

Oh wait ......
 
A gay footballer? What next? A female PM or a black President of the US?

Oh wait ......
:lol:
Absolutely! It's no biggie...
 
The fact that we still need to discuss this kind of stuff in 2015, fecking hell.
 
:lol:
Absolutely! It's no biggie...

Unfortunately it is. I mean, it shouldn't be, but it definitely is.

The fact that the only ever top flight player to come out was 25 years ago and ended up killing himself, tells you everything you need to know really. Its a very sad state of affairs tbh.
 
Unfortunately it is. I mean, it shouldn't be, but it definitely is.

The fact that the only ever top flight player to come out was 25 years ago and ended up killing himself, tells you everything you need to know really. Its a very sad state of affairs tbh.
It is definitely going to be a big deal, because that's just the way it is unfortunately.

With Fashanu though, I think a lot of people forget that he was accused of rape/assault, fled the United States, and then killed himself. Not sure his coming out as gay was the primary reason for his suicide -- not that he didn't get abused for it, because he evidently did.
 
I don't blame gay footballers for not coming out. This is a sport where black players still get bananas thrown at them for Gods sake.

Gay players would have their lives made miserable every week.
 
Aren't many people missing the essential point when they make the correct statement that being gay is not illegal in the UK and attitudes have changed somewhat over the last 50 years. Whilst it might be more accepting in the country as a whole it is totally non-existent in the Premier League. The bastion of professional sport has only recently started to be accepting, and professional football is still not in the category of acceptance. It's the isolation of football that needs to be challenged which is why the issue needs addressing by high profile people coming out. It may be open in the country, but at the moment it's not in the Premier League. Brave people who deserve support from the whole football community.
 
My moneys on Chris Smalling.

white text.


No way you seen his bird? I can see why people think that though with his accent he does seem very ohh la la.


I'm telling you it's welbz go listen to his interviews he has a slight feminine twang, in the whole footballers wives/GF I've never seen welbeck with a girl on his arm
 
No way you seen his bird? I can see why people think that though with his accent he does seem very ohh la la.


I'm telling you it's welbz go listen to his interviews he has a slight feminine twang, in the whole footballers wives/GF I've never seen welbeck with a girl on his arm

Just googled her, for research purposes of course, and great mother of God... Mike has a good taste in women.
 
No way you seen his bird? I can see why people think that though with his accent he does seem very ohh la la.


I'm telling you it's welbz go listen to his interviews he has a slight feminine twang, in the whole footballers wives/GF I've never seen welbeck with a girl on his arm
No, I joking. Figured it could be Phil Jones though, his bird looks like she's his minder.

Just realised we're leading a witch hunt here :lol:
 
When people proclaim other information about themselves, like that they're pregnant, or getting a divorce, or leaving their job, or climbing Mt. Everest, nobody ever says "Who cares? You can climb whatever mountain you want, why would I want to hear about it?" Yet when people declare their sexuality suddenly it's so unnecessary that it verges on unwanted, why ever could that be I wonder?
:lol:
Absolutely! It's no biggie...

Bingo.

I couldn't personally care less. It's sad we even need a thread on it. So what? Who cares? I read the thread title and for a brief moment wondered why it was even news.


Aren't many people missing the essential point when they make the correct statement that being gay is not illegal in the UK and attitudes have changed somewhat over the last 50 years. Whilst it might be more accepting in the country as a whole it is totally non-existent in the Premier League. The bastion of professional sport has only recently started to be accepting, and professional football is still not in the category of acceptance. It's the isolation of football that needs to be challenged which is why the issue needs addressing by high profile people coming out. It may be open in the country, but at the moment it's not in the Premier League. Brave people who deserve support from the whole football community.

It's ridiculous in this day and age that they even need support.