Eight per cent of fans ‘wouldn’t watch team containing gay player’

If people don't want to change their views, very little. But you can help to make sure their views don't affect the lives of others.

I fear I'm coming across as some LGBT campaigner. I'm really not, I've never even been to Pride and very much believe most people are supportive of gay people. However I feel strongly that football needs to do more than a token 'Football v Homophobia' campaign. Its lagging behind society and its such a big part of my life that it frustrates me.

 

I think their views dont affect the lives of others in every realistic way. If somebody owns a business and hates gays I'm sure they can not employ gays without being stopped.
Football is all about tokenism. Do you think the Premier League are publicising "Black Lives Matter" because they want capitalism to be dismantled and the police to be defunded which are the stated aims of the organisation?

 

The Premier League jumps on every bandwagon that passes.

 

Yes it does, but football has also been a social good for racism.

I'm not requiring football to be this big LGBT campaign group. I'm not wanting them to become the new Stonewall. I don't want EVERYTHING in football to become about sexuality. I'd love it to eventually fade away into the distance.

But I wouldn't mind being represented a bit. I feel like they could do more to help foster that environment.

 

Your losing streak continues...

 

you seem to think that random words will impress somebody
you will be typing to somebody who's not reading them from now on

 

If nobody talks about it then it will fade away
I think you'll always have people who will keep bringing it up rather than getting on with everyday life

 

If the last word is so important to you, I won't reply to your next dim-witted post.

 

funny, I thought the stated aims were an end to violence, particularly violence from employees of the state, against black people.

 

But it SHOULDN'T fade away yet, because its not yet a part of football. That's the point, I can't wait for it to get to that stage but it can't until something changes.

 

why should it be "part" of football?

 

It’s a part of football already, but until footballers are equally free to talk about their HABs or their WAGs without anyone reacting, it’s an issue.

 

what do you mean by "It's a part of football already"?
like farting and spitting?
I would think that sexuality has got nothing to do with football.
Some players like playing chess. Is chess part of football?

 

because gay people already play, work in, and support football.

 

Back on topic, I think there’s been progress in general in fan attitudes. At City, we’ve had quite a feminine looking player in Irvine - and let’s face it he runs like a girl. All the abuse I heard him get from the people around me was solely on his inability to make a decent pass and his footballing cock-ups. He didn’t even get much for being an Aussie, let alone being girly.

A prejudice free game will mean equality of abuse, sorry banter, on football performance only.

 

Sexuality isn't a 'side' of someone. It is their life.

Not in the way that it defines their whole characteristics, but it does define their life experiences and who they may eventually marry.

When a straight married footballer talks to a journalist, he may reference something from home. He may reference his relationship, even casually. Or he may have just got married, he may have just had a child and missed a couple of games. He may have had a team mate who slept with his wife. These have all been normal stories that have come out of football.

Do you not think that a gay player would be happier if they could be up front about their life too? Why would we let someone not be able to talk freely about their home life because 'it has nothing to do with football'?

 

I thought the fans even sang a song about his long hair

 

Then everything is a persons life. But does everything in a plays life have to be dragged into football?
People may interview players and want to know personal things about them but it certainly doesnt mean these things are part of football.
Are you saying that because of what you said above that "adultery" is part of football?
I am sure a lot of gay non-footballers keep it quiet
Remember that footballers live a pampered life and many are less able to deal with problems.

 

You tell 'em OLM. I would do it without warning them