Samilktray Posted 22 February 2019 Posted 22 February 2019 You’d have to be a complete moron to think there isn’t a need for this and that people aren’t homophobic anymore.
Guest MattP Posted 22 February 2019 Posted 22 February 2019 13 minutes ago, Samilktray said: You’d have to be a complete moron to think there isn’t a need for this and that people aren’t homophobic anymore. Not just a moron but a complete moron, that's quite something. Out of interest what do you think this achieves? I'd be interested in someone as intelligent as you who obviously isn't "completely" stupid. Do you think those who are bigots and decide to watch football will all of a sudden see Vardy wearing a pair of rainbow laces and either do a 360 or stop going? I'm still struggling to understand what the purpose of this is except a massive virtue signal. Ironically I think this sort of attention can be counter productive - we've had Rogers and Hitzlesperger come out as gay "after the event" but do you not think the clamour now for the first gay PL footballer and the unprecedented media circus that would follow them might actually be putting them off? I do. Look at the attention Orlando Cruz got in boxing, no one was interested in his skills after it. When it was Emile Griffith everyone knew and nobody cared.
Xen Posted 22 February 2019 Posted 22 February 2019 4 hours ago, Izzy said: Is this the one where they wear rainbow laces? Don't think so. The rainbow laces campaign is usually around November time.
brucey Posted 22 February 2019 Posted 22 February 2019 1 hour ago, AjcW said: It just needs one footballer to feel safe enough to be honest to help this be a none issue. The fact is. There’s what 80-90 players on our books from age 16+... it’s quite obvious someone in our club will be gay, the awful thing is they won’t be honest about it. The fact is, the last person to openly come out ultimately killed themselves... which doesn’t exactly set the most inviting precedent. Football desperately needs someone to be brave enough to come out in the modern era... simple fact is there’s more than likely a £50m+ footballer out there who is... and who could make a huge difference, they just don’t feel comfortable enough to do that. Bottom line is it’s ****ing sad that this still needs to be campaigned for. Apologies for being serious in this thread... apparently we’re not doing that? ??♂️?♂️ I’m sure there are a fair few gay professional footballers about who are completely open to teammates, friends and family. Putting it out into the public eye is quite a different matter though. It’s one thing to allow their entire career to end up being defined by what is really a small detail of their personal life, with any actual on field achievements a mere forgotten footnote. It’s quite another to potentially place themselves and their partner at risk of physical harm. As we’ve seen, all it takes is one idiot with a stick to put someone in a coma for having a different opinion about football. Anyway, I don’t think any number of campaigns will change anyone’s opinion. Most of those brought up to be homophobic will likely keep the same opinion throughout their lifetimes, and vice versa. Although as someone mentioned, it would make it less socially acceptable for those opinions to be voiced, which would help a struggling young gay person and reduce the development of mental health issues associated with bullying. And with less of these opinions being openly voiced, there will be less children growing up learning and copying these opinions. The momentum will gradually shift as new generations replaces the old, with a lower percentage of homophobic people with each new generation, but it will take decades.
Wymsey Posted 22 February 2019 Posted 22 February 2019 1 hour ago, AjcW said: It just needs one footballer to feel safe enough to be honest to help this be a none issue. The fact is. There’s what 80-90 players on our books from age 16+... it’s quite obvious someone in our club will be gay, the awful thing is they won’t be honest about it. The fact is, the last person to openly come out ultimately killed themselves... which doesn’t exactly set the most inviting precedent. Football desperately needs someone to be brave enough to come out in the modern era... simple fact is there’s more than likely a £50m+ footballer out there who is... and who could make a huge difference, they just don’t feel comfortable enough to do that. Bottom line is it’s ****ing sad that this still needs to be campaigned for. Apologies for being serious in this thread... apparently we’re not doing that? ??♂️?♂️ Certainly agree with this. I initially thought that Tom Daley (using an example of a more-recent sportsman) made an error announcing his sexuality to his fans/the public, considering that he had/still has a large Twitter following and it appears not many has abused him since about his stance towards this subject matter. He knew he took a risk when he first came out as gay, in fear of trolls potentially bulking him about it etc, but in actual fact he's rightly received many plaudits and recognition for his actions. However unfortunately, as football now still has the issue with homophobia and racism here and there in small pockets, am concerned that any gay footballer who wants to reveal his sexuality in the ears/eyes of football fans is very reluctant to do so in fear of the threat of homophobic chanting increasing again whenever he plays. And if they do eventually come out, their team manager may hesitate in playing him during away games etc - in case of sour chanting about his sexuality occurs in front of young fans and the player himself. Hence, personally believe it could take 20/30+ years for someone to come out in football admitting who they are without fearing for their security.
Guest Posted 22 February 2019 Posted 22 February 2019 I think this thread being full of (admittedly malice-free) gay jokes and people downplaying the existence of homophobia is proof of why initiatives like this are necessary.
HankMarvin Posted 22 February 2019 Posted 22 February 2019 2 hours ago, AjcW said: It just needs one footballer to feel safe enough to be honest to help this be a none issue. The fact is. There’s what 80-90 players on our books from age 16+... it’s quite obvious someone in our club will be gay, the awful thing is they won’t be honest about it. The fact is, the last person to openly come out ultimately killed themselves... which doesn’t exactly set the most inviting precedent. Football desperately needs someone to be brave enough to come out in the modern era... simple fact is there’s more than likely a £50m+ footballer out there who is... and who could make a huge difference, they just don’t feel comfortable enough to do that. Bottom line is it’s ****ing sad that this still needs to be campaigned for. Apologies for being serious in this thread... apparently we’re not doing that? ??♂️?♂️ You can’t really blame them, do you remember what they sung about Victoria Beckham. in sure it’s hard enough to focus, without being a bloke & having that sung by away fans
Gamble92 Posted 23 February 2019 Posted 23 February 2019 2 hours ago, Guest said: I think this thread being full of (admittedly malice-free) gay jokes and people downplaying the existence of homophobia is proof of why initiatives like this are necessary. Well said. You only have to compare this to an anti racism thread and say would there be light hearted jokes about Black or Ethnic minorities? Hell no. And look at the problem that still exists with racism. That shows you how much further we have to go to irradicate homophobia. Unfortunately its inherent amongst men of this laddish, football culture (for want of a better phrase) to behave like this and small initiatives shouldn't be mocked but equally we shouldnt see them as genuinely making too much difference either. It will take our society at least another generation before we see genuine big progress on this. For people in this thread to think there isnt a problem when not one Professional footballer in this country has come out, is quite simply outrageous.
KFS Posted 23 February 2019 Posted 23 February 2019 4 hours ago, Guest said: I think this thread being full of (admittedly malice-free) gay jokes and people downplaying the existence of homophobia is proof of why initiatives like this are necessary. Literally what I was about to post. What’s the issue with this guys, really?
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