Hopefully a good thing. My only slight reservation is whether it’s true or not. It seems a little strange to start a twitter account to create a build up to a public announcement which is a week away? (No idea why someone would do it is a scam either but there’s enough weirdos on there for someone to think they should) Only reason I can think is that they’re hoping to flush out all of the keyboard warriors first and create an atmosphere of positivity as I’d imagine most people would be either supportive or disinterested. Just seems odd that’s all Hopefully if it is true he’ll get treated respectfully and it will make it easier for others too.
I did wonder about that and I almost didn't post it, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and figured if it was genuine, it warranted a thread.
It seems odd to me that he needs to consult with the football club in what is a mostly a personal matter. I find the suggestion that the club might not have supported him, or that it might have affected how the club involved him in the team quite astounding, and a little unbelievable to be fair. This might be my naïvety in how accepted homosexuality is these days. Even so. A press conference? I don't believe it. It would have to be someone extremely high profile, i.e. Raheem level, even though it isn't him as he isn't Championship. Where does Joey Barton ply his trade these days? I always considered him a total cockjockey
For me, the shame is that it's an issue at all. I suspect the biggest fuss will be made by the media trying to imply football fans are homophobic.
"I'm a professional footballer, playing for a club in the SkyBetChamp. I will be revealing my identity soon, but I am a proud gay man, hoping to break the mould. I am under the age of 23, and today I came out to my family. Soon, I will come out publicly," Fair play to the guy, whoever he is. Football is in the dark ages on this matter, its long overdue. Hopefully it will give others the confidence to follow suit if they want to.
Could be Bowen. Just saying. Everything fits. Waiting until the 14th as he wants transfer to go through first. Clearly the vice-chairman is supportive. Probably invited him back to his home to reassure him. High profile. Dang tootin'.
I totally get what you're saying, but at the risk of repeating myself, why is there a need for a player to 'announce' their sexuality? Do people really care?
That was my first thought too. It seemed a total non-issue, but then I'm not really aware of whether homophobia is an issue in football.
Outside of football, there's no need whatsoever. I just think because of the nature of football and certain fans, I can see why someone would want to be cautious about the way they come out... its sad that they have to, but its how it is. Like I said, hopefully this is the first of many to come out and then its back to focusing on the football, as it should be.
It shouldn’t make a blind bit of difference to anyone, but as there’s plenty of gay footballers who all currently feel the need to hide their sexuality, it’s significant that someone’s finally going to try and change things.
As Bowen has a girlfriend it doesn’t fit And the vice chairman reference is ridiculous you’re really well informed Not.
I think it was this time last summer that there was an article where 3 players were speaking to the FA about coming out publicly but nothing became of it. There’s gonna be muppets up and down the country that hurl the abuse but ban them like we do for racism and it’ll soon stop.
