Football V Homophobia

[jaycee]

I have just watched a catch up on iplayer,featuring Gareth Thomas,exploring homophobia in football,it start with Leeds chanting toward Brighton fans the usual "does your boyfriend know your here", it then takes a look at whats done to combat/address the problem,so do you think there is a major concern regarding the problem?
I know people will say they havent heard chants but you hear shouts of faggot,puff fairy all the time when a player goes down or fakes injury,would you report things like that or accept it as part and parcel of the game?

 

[LostLegend]

The issue goes right to the top of football.

Start with FIFA hosting the next 2 World Cups in countries with horrendous records against the LGBT community.

Russia we all know about, but Qatar still has a 7 year prison sentence for homosexuality.

As long as FIFA doesn't take the issue seriously, the longer the problem will last.

I have a load more thoughts on this issue (as a gay football fan myself) so may chip in with more later.

 

[Groucho]

Needs to be stamped out.


Like all forms of prejudice and discrimination.

 

[jaycee]

Needs to be stamped out.


Like all forms of prejudice and discrimination.

Obviously it does,but as I said would you report some one who shouted puff,faggot etc as quickly as if they shouted racist abuse?
Everybody hears those comments at football but how many actually complain,watching the documentary I was surprised by the atittude by both PFA and the FA to the questions Gareth Thomas asked

 

[Groucho]

Obviously it does,but as I said would you report some one who shouted puff,faggot etc as quickly as if they shouted racist abuse?
Everybody hears those comments at football but how many actually complain,watching the documentary I was surprised by the atittude by both PFA and the FA to the questions Gareth Thomas asked

Well we do give out equivalent warnings/bans on here for it.

 

[anton66]

I have just watched a catch up on iplayer,featuring Gareth Thomas,exploring homophobia in football,it start with Leeds chanting toward Brighton fans the usual "does your boyfriend know your here", it then takes a look at whats done to combat/address the problem,so do you think there is a major concern regarding the problem?
I know people will say they havent heard chants but you hear shouts of faggot,puff fairy all the time when a player goes down or fakes injury,would you report things like that or accept it as part and parcel of the game?

The chant from the Leeds fans was more stereotyping than a homophobic chant directed at an individual. Same as Sign on, and you've stole our car stereo chants aimed at us. Both wrong of course.

 

[rylojr]

A thought.

Imagine if you will, a player who came forwards to reveal their sexuality in the forthcoming Russia world cup.

I'd like to think that said player would be lauded and could bring the worlds focus on: A) Russia's shamefully hateful prejudice B) The senseless fear and paranoia of the footballing world in general.

I'd say good on the lad for fronting it and destroying so many shameful attitudes. It's the 21st century, man.

 

[LEONARD]

I agree with all previous posts.

A lot more needs to be done. Good to see Everton's official website supporting last weekends Pride in Liverpool.

 

[formerly manx toffee]

It's nonsense isn't it. You can't chant bile and expect it to be ok. I couldn't call someone a faggot at work, I would expect quite rightly to be fired (most likely reprimanded I guess).

Is it more prevalent in certain groups in society. Extreme right or left wing, less academically able, class. I am not sure but I suspect some university or other should be doing a study.

Btw. I think GOT do a good job in this respect as they do with disability too. There are some insults used on here that really wind me up related to disability. Mostly around mental disability. They think they are in the 70's and its ok.

My view is that certain groups of individuals who are in th eminority or do not have a strong voice themselves need the voice of the community to stick up for them.

Report them and ban them.

 

[tommye]

Not one of you horrors has asked who fancies a bumming. Standards on here are at an all time low.

Hang your heads and hankies in shame.

 

[catcherintherye]

It was an incredible documentary really, fair play to Gareth Thomas to making it and indeed having the bravery to come out. In doing so, and his continued conduct he has helped drag rugby out of the dark ages. You do wonder had he been a footballer and come out not a rugby player if football would have modernised and where Rugby would be.

There are a number of different issues that came up for me. Without doubt there is a hardened element of bigots that still exist. The sort of men who would abuse someone for their sexuality or attack them in groups.

I also think there's a bigger group who will laugh alon with jokes, or make comments they probably aren't sure are offensive out of ignorance. Calling opposition players pansies/fairies/tarts etc. I'm not sure most using this language are doing so consciously to be homophobic but out of an institutionalised belief of what the language of football means.

The response from football seems to be very broad. At one extreme you get examples like the PFA and FA who seem stuck in a time warp somewhat. I'm not sure they understand the complexity of the issues and you visibly see how awkward both Taylor and the other senior figure were.

At the other end there seems to be some good initiatives but they do need to be more joined up. I also think we have to focus not just on the minority of bigots and homophobes but more on the far larger number of people in education as to why language and practices may be alienating.

Some will say it's a victimless crime. However there will be several gay footballers and even more gay fans. Never mind people who are friends or family with them.

For me football will always be about the community as a whole, not just one group in a community. It's not right people are made to feel unwelcome and it damages the game.

Anyway I felt it was a really moving documentary and hope it can start a conversation. I feel proud we had Hitzleberger play for us and like any other former Evertonian he should be welcomed back with open arms which I think he would be from most fans. It's time the majority of us started making our voices be heard more loudly and now allow football to be caricatured as a game for bigots and louts. This is ultimately what its opponents and the bigots share in common and should never be allowed to stand.

 

[jaycee]

Not one of you horrors has asked who fancies a bumming. Standards on here are at an all time low.

Hang your heads and hankies in shame.

Shhhhh Thomas we have to lure them in first, bait the trap and wait !!!

 

[Carlito]

It'll be difficult for them to set a precedent until an active player comes out.

Clamping down on silly things, like 'does your boyfriend know you're here,' will only lead to ambivalence from many who will just see it as the PC brigade's latest pet project.

 

[jaycee]

It was an incredible documentary really, fair play to Gareth Thomas to making it and indeed having the bravery to come out. In doing so, and his continued conduct he has helped drag rugby out of the dark ages. You do wonder had he been a footballer and come out not a rugby player if football would have modernised and where Rugby would be.

There are a number of different issues that came up for me. Without doubt there is a hardened element of bigots that still exist. The sort of men who would abuse someone for their sexuality or attack them in groups.

I also think there's a bigger group who will laugh alon with jokes, or make comments they probably aren't sure are offensive out of ignorance. Calling opposition players pansies/fairies/tarts etc. I'm not sure most using this language are doing so consciously to be homophobic but out of an institutionalised belief of what the language of football means.

The response from football seems to be very broad. At one extreme you get examples like the PFA and FA who seem stuck in a time warp somewhat. I'm not sure they understand the complexity of the issues and you visibly see how awkward both Taylor and the other senior figure were.

At the other end there seems to be some good initiatives but they do need to be more joined up. I also think we have to focus not just on the minority of bigots and homophobes but more on the far larger number of people in education as to why language and practices may be alienating.

Some will say it's a victimless crime. However there will be several gay footballers and even more gay fans. Never mind people who are friends or family with them.

For me football will always be about the community as a whole, not just one group in a community. It's not right people are made to feel unwelcome and it damages the game.

Anyway I felt it was a really moving documentary and hope it can start a conversation. I feel proud we had Hitzleberger play for us and like any other former Evertonian he should be welcomed back with open arms which I think he would be from most fans. It's time the majority of us started making our voices be heard more loudly and now allow football to be caricatured as a game for bigots and louts. This is ultimately what its opponents and the bigots share in common and should never be allowed to stand.

It was a very good programme,the response from the Fa and PFA shocked me,though that seems to be the norm in football worldwide,the only two players that I am aware of are Hitzelberger and the lad from the Usa,I have friends who are gay and would never hold hands at the game,a mate who is a cross dresser who has said there is no way on earth he would attend a match in the way he feels most comfortable,it will take a long time to change it

 

[Seathestars]

Racism is close to being wiped out and homophobia will too.

Someone mentioned Fifa and quite right.
I remember Yaya Toure being racially abused, was it in Russia, and what did FIFA do, they closed part of the ground.
Basically a slap on the wrist when they really should have set the tone and wiped the floor with the club.
Fifa will just pretend that homophobia is not a problem, much in the way they've done with racism.
But hey, Mr Blatter once said that racist remarks can be forgotten after the game with a handshake.

Living is easy with eyes closed, John Lennon.