Homophobia at football

[Guest Bilo]

I have to say that anybody who thinks that homophobia isn't a problem in football really has their head in the sand. If it wasn't a problem there would be openly gay football players in the English game. There aren't, and the idea that every single player for each of the 92 league clubs is heterosexual is ludicrous. Those footballers that are gay obviously don't feel able to come out, and if the casual homophobia exhibited by some on this forum is indicative of football fans as a whole then it isn't hard to see why.

[filbertway]

Damo where is that fantastic sig quote from?

An msn conversation I had with your man lildave3. I thought it summed you up poifek'ly

[Father Ted]

Good question.... cant think of any - according to Wiki there are no openly gay footballers in the top 4 divisions.

Also found this article which made me laugh a lot.... EDIT I wasnt laughing at Fash by the way just at Cisse's comments and someone being accused of being gay for being single and reading books!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4427718.stm

This cracked me up

How about Elton John uses his influence at Watford Football Club to encourage the signing of openly gay players to the team?

Chris B, Bury St Edmunds

[Father Ted]

I have to say that anybody who thinks that homophobia isn't a problem in football really has their head in the sand. If it wasn't a problem there would be openly gay football players in the English game. There aren't, and the idea that every single player for each of the 92 league clubs is heterosexual is ludicrous. Those footballers that are gay obviously don't feel able to come out, and if the casual homophobia exhibited by some on this forum is indicative of football fans as a whole then it isn't hard to see why.

But this is what is stupid. Everybody is saying, 'how come nobody has come out and said their gay?', in all honesty I don't care and it's their private life. They can come out if they want but there is no need to. Of course there are gays out there, Dennis Wise, Becchio, Boyd @ Peterborough.

[john_lcfc]

If a player admitted to being gay, would his team-mates still feel comfortable near him in the showers? I doubt it.

Campbell Tang, Stockton-on-Tees

Interesting point about team spirit.

I personally think that it all stems from interests. Gay people because of the perceived abuse will not become involved in football. Its like I dont want to be an air host because of the type of people who are involved I have no common interest, or is that homphobic too?

[Koke]

Good question.... cant think of any - according to Wiki there are no openly gay footballers in the top 4 divisions.

Also found this article which made me laugh a lot.... EDIT I wasnt laughing at Fash by the way just at Cisse's comments and someone being accused of being gay for being single and reading books!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4427718.stm

This cracked me up

You laugh, but this is a common trait I've noticed amongst black males in particular. I'm not even surprised Djibril Cisse has said those comments. Black youth fear they may be mistaken for being gay so much that they always use some sort of defense mechanism [see Cisse] in case the words they speak may even sound linguistically gay.

The blacks over here aren't as bad as the ones in America. I've been there twice and I also pop over to some NBA forums now & again, and it really is quite sad state of affairs. You can't say anything that can misinterpreted as gay, and if you do, you have to use some sort of defense mechanism.

If people read this forum and saw the affection I have for Timmy or the obsession LD3 has for Super Steve, they would think we were 100% gays and I can guarantee you we'd be ridiculed anywhere else, simply because of the tremendous insecurities some people have about their sexuality.

[Fosse Boy]

If a player admitted to being gay, would his team-mates still feel comfortable near him in the showers? I doubt it.

Campbell Tang, Stockton-on-Tees

Interesting point about team spirit.

I personally think that it all stems from interests. Gay people because of the perceived abuse will not become involved in football. Its like I dont want to be an air host because of the type of people who are involved I have no common interest, or is that homphobic too?

I'm trying to remember the case of the basketball player John Ameachi (sp?). Apparently hardly any of his teamates supported him when he came out, and actually quite few spoke out against him in the media.

[john_lcfc]

but it is only natural to feel uncomfortable by it isn't it? What if your best mate from your sunday team came out, i'd feel uncomfortable around him and tbh dont think i could be best friends again. is that wrong? surely others would aswell

[Koke]

but it is only natural to feel uncomfortable by it isn't it? What if your best mate from your sunday team came out, i'd feel uncomfortable around him and tbh dont think i could be best friends again. is that wrong? surely others would aswell

This is what Tim Hardaway said after John Amaechi announcement.

"First of all I wouldn’t want him on my team. Second of all, if he was on my team I would really distance myself from him because I don’t think that’s right and I don’t think he should be in the locker room when we’re in the locker room. Something has to give, If you have 12 other ballplayers in your locker room that's upset and can't concentrate and always worried about him in the locker room or on the court or whatever, it's going to be hard for your teammates to win and accept him as a teammate."

[Shrenchel]

but it is only natural to feel uncomfortable by it isn't it? What if your best mate from your sunday team came out, i'd feel uncomfortable around him and tbh dont think i could be best friends again. is that wrong? surely others would aswell

are you being sarcastic?!what is wrong with you plank?surely you've got gay mates?do they try and skull fook you at any opportunity?no, so why would a lad you play football with?

Anyway, in general I think it is a problem but imo it's a delicate balance between reducing homophobia and completely sanitising the game to the point whether you can't sing about anything remotely offensive to gays, fatties, gingers etc. I'd never direct a homophobic chant at a player but I reserve the right to ask Brighton fans if their boyfriends know they're here because I'm a massive fooking hypocrite. I guess that stems from my gay mates attitudes' to it all though really.

[Uncle Albert]

The footballing world is turning into a sad place if player is afraid of their sexuality.

[filbertway]

We had a gay in our 5 a side team and he only tried to rape lildave once. It's all banter...or ganter as I like to call it..the gays love it.

Obviously when fans/players don't like them because they're gay it's a different story...but theres nothing wrong with light hearted ganter.

[john_lcfc]

are you being sarcastic?!what is wrong with you plank?surely you've got gay mates?do they try and skull fook you at any opportunity?no, so why would a lad you play football with?

Anyway, in general I think it is a problem but imo it's a delicate balance between reducing homophobia and completely sanitising the game to the point whether you can't sing about anything remotely offensive to gays, fatties, gingers etc. I'd never direct a homophobic chant at a player but I reserve the right to ask Brighton fans if their boyfriends know they're here because I'm a massive fooking hypocrite. I guess that stems from my gay mates attitudes' to it all though really.

errmm nope.

[Guest]

If a player admitted to being gay, would his team-mates still feel comfortable near him in the showers? I doubt it.

Campbell Tang, Stockton-on-Tees

Interesting point about team spirit.

WTF? That's just typical male attitude, isn't it? I fancy myself, so everyone else must fancy me too!

[Edmund]

Brighton fans regularly get a lot of "We can see you holding hands"

[Koke]

WTF? That's just typical male attitude, isn't it? I fancy myself, so everyone else must fancy me too!

It's fear. Some of my friends have been approached by gay men when we're out and about, and they take it as a compliment if anything - if you can attract both women and men, then you're the man.

[Guest]

It's fear. Some of my friends have been approached by gay men when we're out and about, and they take it as a compliment if anything - if you can attract both women and men, then you're the man.

But that's the thing, what is there to be afraid of if you're an average bloke?

It really does make me laugh, what would these 'scared' blokes do if they were propositioned by a woman they found totally unattractive? Do they get scared then?

Your mates have the right idea; if someone fancies you, it's a compliment at the end of the day.

[Thracian]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8197306.stm

Cant say Ive noticed it myself apart from the rent boy chants I guess...

I know what I want to see - an end to football being used as a socio-political soapbox by social manipulators.

What does football have to do with sexuality anyway and why on earth should any footballer necessarilly wish to confide his bedroom preferences to team-mates any more than would the fan sitting next to you on match days?

You can just hear the manager introducing a new signing to the dressing room throng. Okay lads, before we get down (to work) I'd like to introduce our new striker.

He's not very good but he's the best I could get in the circumstances because the Football League have questioned whether we had a politically acceptable quota of gays in our side and, well, Gordon is gay.

Anyway, he'll be warming the bench on Saturday and I'm sure he'd warm a few of you lot if you feel the need when it's cold. I've not had much time to speak with him but apparently he doesn't want to be made to feel like a voyeur.

He says he can't help looking you up and down in the showers and if his emotions do start to give his thoughts away you should please refrain from throwing cold water at him.

You could imagine the boss's words: "I'm a little concerned about the sexual make-up of the team, which reminds me, we are installing make-up cabinets for all who want them - because so many people are pressuring the Football authorities on this or similar issues.

Basically, the way I see it, our toilet blocks will be threatened with closure unless, for this season as a starter, our squad has a politically acceptable spread of sexual orientation ie a minimum of four gays, four straights, four bi-sexuals and four sado-masochists of which two in each category must be foreigners, one over 35 and one under 21.

Anyone who doesn't admit his preferences will be fined a mimimum of two wanks in his wages because it could affect the sexual balance of the side and table placings at the Players Christmas party.

Anyway cum and meet Gordon...

[ob1kanobe0]

It's fear. Some of my friends have been approached by gay men when we're out and about, and they take it as a compliment if anything - if you can attract both women and men, then you're the man.

It certainly is. Nothing wrong in fearing homosexuality when you hate the thought of the act.

Does anyone know how to define homophobia and hetrophobia?

[Guest]

I know what I want to see - an end to football being used as a socio-political soapbox by social manipulators.

What does football have to do with sexuality anyway and why on earth should any footballer necessarilly wish to confide his bedroom preferences to team-mates any more than would the fan sitting next to you on match days?

Of course it isn't anyone's business what you do in your private life, but I believe that the idea of this campaign is that some players have to be even more careful about how and where they conduct it, because of a few numpties, and whether this is right.

I have no idea what Paul Scholes missus looks like, he doesn't conduct his private life in the public arena. I know he has one because he has children, but I bet they can pootle off down the supermarket together, and not hide the fact that they are together, unlike his allegedly gay colleague.

[filbertway]

It certainly is. Nothing wrong in fearing homosexuality when you hate the thought of the act.

Does anyone know how to define homophobia and hetrophobia?

I bet you'd love a good sausage roasting.

[Thracian]

Of course it isn't anyone's business what you do in your private life, but I believe that the idea of this campaign is that some players have to be even more careful about how and where they conduct it, because of a few numpties, and whether this is right.

I have no idea what Paul Scholes missus looks like, he doesn't conduct his private life in the public arena. I know he has one because he has children, but I bet they can pootle off down the supermarket together, and not hide the fact that they are together, unlike his allegedly gay colleague.

I'm equally sure two gay footballers could shop together with no problems and that they'd only provoke comment if they made a spectacle of themselves in public as would anyone - be it a heterosexual couple, a bloke dressed as a clown or a woman in a topless dress.

Chances are a good part of the problem is imagined. Yes, some players would feel uncomfortable being in the same team as a known homosexual just as some fans would be uncomfortable sitting next to a homosexual or many other kinds of people - if they knew.

But most would either accept it with good grace or not give a toss anyway. I'm not even sure that the boundaries of homosexuality and heterosexuality are as rigidly defined as some would like to argue in any case but, bottom line is that, if you want to express your personality in any way then you'll provoke differing reactions and have to cope with them.

I remember when I was 17 being so into football that I'd only drink milk even in the pub. I even asked the landlord of the Hurst at Quorn to get a few pints in specially. I got some good natured ribbing, no question. but within a day or two my mates just accepted it and it simply became part of the way things were.

No sane person would doubt the likelihood that there are homosexual footballers in our squad. But do we really need gay activists to use football as a soapbox for social manipulation that we can do without.

What would be next?

I go to football matches to support my home town, to watch a contest and to enjoy the banter with friends and acquaintances. I don't go to be indoctrinated.

And from what I can gather, one of the activists involved seems to only attend games with fellow homosexuals, 18 of them I think he mentioned. Presumably he doesn't feel comfortable next to the straights. Bit ironic that.

[Guest Bilo]

But that's the thing, what is there to be afraid of if you're an average bloke?

It really does make me laugh, what would these 'scared' blokes do if they were propositioned by a woman they found totally unattractive? Do they get scared then?

Your mates have the right idea; if someone fancies you, it's a compliment at the end of the day.

In my position, beggars can't be choosers.

Joking aside though, your comparison is valid. I wouldn't see it as a big deal if a gay bloke tried to chat me up because I'm comfortable enough in my own sexuality to pass it off as something that it isn't going to lead to anything, just as if a munter came on to me.

[Ultra]

At Macclesfield one bloke on the terrace, clearly off his head, tried to start off a VERY homophobic song about Derby fans.

As it was pointless trying to reason with him, and neither plod nor the stewards were anywhere in sight, we treated him with the contempt he deserved, and ignored him. He soon shut up.

While there are a lot of gay men interested in football, as anyone who has been to Pride festivals will confirm, they're not likely to be seen in great numbers at the Way or any other large stadium any time soon. There are still far too many insecure men and youths around who would see them as a threat.

But homophobia is an issue which affects the whole of British sport, not just football. I can't recall too many athletes, other than John Amaechi, admitting to being gay in recent times.

[ob1kanobe0]

Of course it isn't anyone's business what you do in your private life, but I believe that the idea of this campaign is that some players have to be even more careful about how and where they conduct it, because of a few numpties, and whether this is right.

I have no idea what Paul Scholes missus looks like, he doesn't conduct his private life in the public arena. I know he has one because he has children, but I bet they can pootle off down the supermarket together, and not hide the fact that they are together, unlike his allegedly gay colleague.

Where do you draw the line Lisa, you, or atleast hundreds of thousands of football fans will hurl abuse at a footballer because they play for a rival/opposition team, does it matter whether they're gay, straight, black, white, thin or Akinbadbuy?