BackOfTheNet
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« on: October 27, 2021, 10:56:05 am » |
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I just read this article on the BBC and it made me think. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-59060323It's quite a shocking statistic that this is the first top-flight footballer to publicly come out as gay. Statistically there must be many more. Thankfully we live in a world where being gay isn't seen as anything out of the ordinary anymore and is widely accepted. Maybe it's my social circle being quite liberal but there are plenty of gay people amongst both my friends and colleagues and no one bats an eyelid. So what is it about football that seemingly still makes it carry a stigma? Is it really so backwards and prehistoric in its thinking and there are such raging levels of machismo that they don't like the thought of a gay guy being in the dressing room with them?? Really odd, and really unhealthy if that is the case.
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The Hotelend Grand National* Sweepstake Champion 2020
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singcobb
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« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2021, 12:46:38 pm » |
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He might be the first in Australia which does have a bit of a Macho Man society, but Justin Fashnu came out in the 90's in the UK. I have absolutely no problem with anyone's sexual orientation, but I do wonder why they feel the need to shout it from the rooftops.
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« Last Edit: October 27, 2021, 12:49:25 pm by singcobb »
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BackOfTheNet
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« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2021, 12:49:53 pm » |
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He might be the first in Australia which does have a bit of a Macho Man society, but Justin Fashnu came out in the 90's in the UK.
I think he's the only "out" current professional player though, with Fashanu deceased and Hitzlberger retired.
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The Hotelend Grand National* Sweepstake Champion 2020
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guest49
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« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2021, 20:50:04 pm » |
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It’s a tough one as it’s not the only walk of life that people don’t openly discuss their sexuality. I think that’s anyones prerogative and doesn’t warrant front page news. I guess it would help (as high profile figures) to support younger players going through the associated battles that still exist. There’d still be pockets of homophobes on the terraces dishing out some stick, which is probably enough to put many off, without the rags going to town. Whilst others probably want to concentrate on their career rather than being defined by their sexuality.
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Manwork04
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« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2021, 09:26:39 am » |
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He might be the first in Australia which does have a bit of a Macho Man society, but Justin Fashnu came out in the 90's in the UK. I have absolutely no problem with anyone's sexual orientation, but I do wonder why they feel the need to shout it from the rooftops.
This 100% I really don’t think anyone cares about who players want to have relationships with anymore, everyone to their own. Just don’t understand the “coming out” bit, isn’t this something for their friends and family?
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Rule Britannia
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Gen.Disorda
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« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2021, 18:13:04 pm » |
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It's quite a shocking statistic that this is the first top-flight footballer to publicly come out as gay.
Thomas Hitzlsperger came out, as did Fashanu. The strangest thing about this example is, did anyone in the UK have any idea who he was before this announcement?
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Peter Frost
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« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2021, 19:27:50 pm » |
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This 100% I really don’t think anyone cares about who players want to have relationships with anymore, everyone to their own. Just don’t understand the “coming out” bit, isn’t this something for their friends and family?
Agreed and I've never really understand why sexuality should have any bearing on how you do your job but I guess if you are in the public eye "coming out" is a way of ending gossip, innuendo and speculation - just a pity football is still in the dark ages on this one.
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Winslow Lee
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« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2021, 12:38:55 pm » |
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I think it’s a statistical inevitable there are a large number of gay footballers who not only feel unable to come out about their sexuality but actively hide it. They clearly feel having been around dressing rooms and stadiums that hiding it is better than the reaction they would get from colleagues, fans and media.
It’s only 20 years since Graeme Le Saux (who was heterosexual) used to suffer massive homophobic abuse which even included Robbie Fowler. While things have improved since then. Like with racism football is still such a long way from minimising prejudice in football, I say minimising and not eradicating as I don’t have enough faith in humanity.
As for players like Josh Cavallo who I’m sure just wants to be footballers but will now will always have the gay moniker applied to everything he does. Only time how coming out will effect his career as a professional footballer which may include tacit homophobia that’s not easy to see from the outside. I have no idea of his motives for coming out but those that do will make it easier for those in the future.
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