Comments on: Gay footballers celebrate win privately for fear of being outed

By: egm

egm — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:00:55 +0000

I'm all for gay footballers, and sportspeople in general. Sets a good example.

By: Brian Burton

Brian Burton — Thu, 07 May 2009 08:50:43 +0000

Adrian T.
I agree wholeheartedly with your very senceable asessment of the footballers situation. Some comments can lack humanity, from some who shall remain nameless. Football, (I played in my youth.) is one great experiance at best, and the secret of life is to reproduce that experiance as often as possible.

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By: AdrianT

AdrianT — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:06:20 +0000

Ryan, people don't join a gay football team specifically to be at the forefront of the gay liberation movement. They join because they love the game, and love playing with people they can gell with, form a bond with, and be open with their teammates. Being out as a group to players / opponents on a muddy pitch is a far cry from being plastered all over the Daily Record. It's a big step for some. What are we doing as a society to tackle bigotry and help people like that come out wherever they are? that's the question.

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By: Ryan Haynes - fyi radio

Ryan Haynes - fyi radio — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:18:26 +0000

I sort of agree with Simon's first two sentences. But FYi RAdio had a discussion with gay football, rugby and swim teams last week looking at homophobia in sport.

In reflection – why on earth be part of a gay football team if you're ashamed of it? It does seem extremely peculiar to me…and totally defeats what the FA and GFSN and Kick It Out are trying to achieve. There's no point in equality campaigns if our own community participants hide…

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By: Brian Burton

Brian Burton — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:12:53 +0000

Oh! dear, the Gay Pontif is at it again! Can nobody escape Simon Murphy's acid tounge? I fully expect he writes with a quill pen dipped in venom!

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By: Charlene

Charlene — Wed, 06 May 2009 10:42:11 +0000

Coming out is a personal choice – I too believe that being out is a good thing but I cant moan about people who wish to stay in the closet. It's up to them.

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By: GAPOI

GAPOI — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:27:27 +0000

Simon,

Unfortunately, not all parts of the UK are gay friendly. Scotland still have huge problems where attitudes to racism, homosexuality and sectarianism are concerned.

Think about this. What would happen if the teacher's class finds out he's gay? There'll always be the odd pupil who will make his life very difficult in class. That is, assuming some narrow-minded parents doesn't go running around to the school first and accuse him of being a paedophile.

Same for the policeman. Let's say he is out on his beat and some people knows he is gay due to the publicity and they shout homophobic comments at him. He has 2 choices: arrest them or ignore them (which would undermine his authority, thus making it difficult for him to carry out his role). Also, most police stations have changing room facilities and I would imagine many of his colleagues would find it uncomfortable to change clothes etc when he is around, therefore they will attempt to avoid him whenever possible.

Sadly, that's the reality of gay men who are not comfortable about being 'out' in their work.

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By: Niki

Niki — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:42:54 +0000

Do they play thier games in secret? I don't get it.

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By: Simon Murphy

Simon Murphy — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:25:41 +0000

It's illegal to be fired for being gay. I think the reason that some players are not public about their victory has more to do with cowardice than genuine fear of losing their job. I don't buy into excuses for remaining in the closet once you are financially self sufficient. This is a gay friendly country. There are very few genuine reasons for being in the closet once you have left the family home.

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By: GAPOI

GAPOI — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:15:06 +0000

Some of the players are teachers and policemen, so you can sort of see why they wish to remain anonymous, even if legislation is in place to protect them from harassment or unfair dismissal on grounds of their sexual orientation. Really sad in this age.

Having said that, I leave with a final note, WELL DONE LADS for winning the Gay National League Cup!

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By: John (Derbyshire

John (Derbyshire — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:12:11 +0000

If your family doesn`t know-its not easy to out yourself.

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By: tony

tony — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:04:54 +0000

You can't be sacked for being gay- that's illegal. Why don't they just come out if that's all they are afraid of. What's the worst that could happen? They'd get a big settlement cheque! Being closeted is a bad example to set.

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By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:53:57 +0000

I think it's sad that in this day and age that Scottish footballers feel the need to keep their sexuality quiet. I am not in the closet but not obviously gay either. As it's no one elses busines as to knowing about my private life. Anyway there are legal remedies which can be used to protect people at work from discrimination on the ground of sexuality. Use them!

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