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

I'm not really talking about a journalist probing into a life. I'm talking about the small references that a player may make.

Of course, some players won't want to do it ever and that's fine. But as it stands gay players DON'T do it because there is no precedent.

No I wasn't saying adultery is part of football. I was just using it as an example of when it does come out as a story. Perhaps that was slightly extreme.

But just think about the paranoia that a gay footballer will have about anyone finding out, I had that paranoia growing up and it was difficult to deal with at times. It would be 100 times worse for someone who is in the public eye who is desperate for it not to leak out.

 

I reckon their biggest fear isn't the fans, as most don't give a flying **** as long as they perform on the pitch, it's the hounding they'll get from the media.

The media are once again creating an issue and a story that doesn't exist outside of media land.

 

I'd respectfully disagree. I feel like this would be a really big step forward in global LGBT rights. Lets not forget, the Premier League is broadcast all over the world, including countries where you are chucked off a building if you are gay.

I'd be really really bloody proud if the Premier League could create a tolerance level where there were multiple at ease gay footballers. Not necessarily banging the tolerance drum, but a really good example that gay people are nothing special or to be scared of.

 

I agree it's a lot worse for people in public life. There's plenty of actors, hairdressers and plane stewards who dont seem to have a problem.
Obviously it's a lot easier for straight people because most people are expected to be straight. It's going to get better gradually but I dont think campaigning helps the cause. You just end up with more people complaining about you going on about it.

 

I don't think anyone associated with football is intolerant. The media are cooking up a story, that's scaring off the very advocates you'd like to step forward. If other Countries have specific issues, it's not the role of football to address them though. Making a show of a players sexuality is the wrong thing. Showing it's pretty much irrelevant is a much stronger message.

 

Give me an example of rights that were acquired without campaigning?

I don't love the Pride movement but come on. That's ridiculous.

 

It's not the role of football, but it'd really help.

I think some people are intolerant. Check the next twitter post when a club supports Pride.

I think the problem is, we'd both like the same end goal. I just think that there has to be that first that'd create the big splash, before the tide can settle. You will never show its irrelevent without it grabbing attention first.

I feel like I have expressed everything I want to say on this subject now, so I'll get back to worrying about our players contracts.

 

Why dont the Premier League refuse to broadcast to countries with poor human rights records? Maybe they are more bothered about the money?

 

What rights dont gay people have in the UK?

 

Would you support a campaign for useless footballers to be represented in Premier League teams? I'm sure they are under represented. I dont think there's many Jewish footballers either.

 

That’s not what he said Peter
He made the point, I assume, that the rights that they have in the UK came as a result of campaigning
Shouldn’t have needed that of course, but it did.

 

So if they have got what they campaigned for then do you agree that they dont need to campaign now?

 

Oh come on Peter. Actors, hairdressers and cabin crew? I’m straight so that’s the default for everyone I meet? Put up, shut up and don’t complain? If it wasn’t you posting this nonsense I’d think this was a massive whoosh going over my head.

I’ll just say this. If a section of society consistently says to the rest of us “actually, you may think everything’s fine now, but it’s not and here’s what you can do to help” then I think as human beings we should listen to what they say and maybe do what they ask. Maybe the experience of Justin Fashanu is a lesson that gay footballers are still heeding because they don’t trust it would be different for them.

 

So what can be done?

 

I’m getting a strong sense of #allsexualitiesmatter

How long til that one gets trotted out?

 

I think you misjudged my comment Señor Saxton.

 

Best not to think.
You never know what you will get wrong.

 

petersaxton: “I agree it's a lot worse for people in public life. There's plenty of actors, hairdressers and plane stewards who dont seem to have a problem.
Obviously it's a lot easier for straight people because most people are expected to be straight. It's going to get better gradually but I dont think campaigning helps the cause. You just end up with more people complaining about you going on about it.”
Brownbagtiger: “Oh come on Peter. Actors, hairdressers and cabin crew? I’m straight so that’s the default for everyone I meet? Put up, shut up and don’t complain? If it wasn’t you posting this nonsense I’d think this was a massive whoosh going over my head.
I’ll just say this. If a section of society consistently says to the rest of us “actually, you may think everything’s fine now, but it’s not and here’s what you can do to help” then I think as human beings we should listen to what they say and maybe do what they ask. Maybe the experience of Justin Fashanu is a lesson that gay footballers are still heeding because they don’t trust it would be different for them.”
petersaxton: “So what can be done?”

To sum up
Sensible person explains reality
“virtuous” person: “Here’s an opportunity to show how ‘virtuous’ I am! You are talking nonsense. I want to listen to what campaigners say and do what they want.”
Sensible person: “So what can be done?”
“virtuous” person: “I have no idea. I’ll just think of things to say that I hope will sound ‘virtuous’.”

I’m sure 8% of people polled will have said that they would stop watching their team if one of their players comes out as gay. I am equally certain that, in that event, nobody will stop watching their team.
The best thing that could happen would be if a current player came out as gay. They would be supported by their own fans. They would be ridiculed by opposing fans. The media would write lots of articles. The player would be fed up of all the attention. Eventually the vast majority of people would turn their attention to other things.

 

Get rid of this boring ****

 

Bloody hell.

At risk of getting myself back into a debate I wanted to leave because I thought I'd said all I wanted to.

Who are you to decide you are sensible? I think I'm sensible, do others? Maybe not. But I'd like to think my life experiences give me a good perspective on this situation?

Is it more important than other peoples? No. But its my perspective. Its not up to you to decide whether its sensible. Your reality is not my reality.