In an EU country which decriminalized homosexuality long before the change from communism to democracy, one might expect to see a tolerant society. In reality, 80 % of the population disapproves of gay lifestyles and media is reinforcing negative stereotypes. Tabloid websites flood their pages with lists of likely gay/bisexual football players and the remarks are cruel.
In contrast
Gay and bisexual football players in the UK find it easier to come out according to a charity that is dealing with challenging discrimination and working for positive change.
“Clubs have definitely moved on. They are more corporations rather than football clubs, “says Kevin Coleman, a grass roots development officer at Kick It Out campaign.
Kick It Out is football's equality and inclusion campaign in Britain. There are 4,000 players in the professional league and currently no one is openly gay. Coleman considers that if 10 per cent of the population in the UK is gay/bisexual 400 players are possibly gay/bisexual too.
Back in the days...
He speculates that people are not willing to come out and are scared of the consequences because of the media attacks. In 1990 Justin Fashanu was the last openly gay player in football and he received the harshest welcome would any player ever received. His brother John publicly disowned him, whereas his manager Brian Clough called him “a bloody poof!” Fashanu ended up committing suicide.
Kick It Out is trying to educate people to step forward and would help the players if they ever came forward but “no players ever came forward to us”, says Coleman.
Moving on
That is changing. Last year British Lions rugby legend Gareth Thomas announced publicly that he was gay. Recently he wrote in the Daily Telegraph, “There comes a point where you think that the whole world is against you, and then you say to yourself “I can carry on in this dark little world or I can be honest with everybody and live the life I want.”” Thomas is the first openly gay professional rugby union player who is still playing. He expected a big backlash, but in fact he got large support.
In the 606 debate web page of the BBC Celticjinker writes: “Well done Gareth and thanks for all your years as a player for Wales and I'm sure it won’t make a bit of difference to your many fans.”
The 20 year old Anton Hysen is another player who was not afraid to come out. He did that at the start of his career. Unlike Fashanu, he was not shunned by his brother, but his mother is concerned that he’ll get beaten up. That doesn’t trouble the young player. He said to the Guardian, “People tell me I’m a celebrity now, and I shouldn’t be. But if there’s anyone afraid of coming out they should give me a call”.
...because it's better for the club
Kevin Coleman thinks that one of the reasons for the change of the mentality might the corporate thinking of the clubs. “We are just waiting for one player and there will be a wave. People have moved on. Clubs have definitely moved on. The club would be more supported whether they are more acceptable or not, because of the corporate image of the club.”
Don’t expect to hear such statement in Bulgaria soon. The last time there was a piece on homosexuals in football it was an interview with a famous drag queen who said that she slept with many professional players.
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