What if an Everton player came out?

[Pagan_83]

News is, inherently, extraordinary events worthy of reporting. For good or for bad, athletes coming out/acknowledging that they're gay will be news right up until the moment it isn't anymore.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

News is, inherently, extraordinary events worthy of reporting. For good or for bad, athletes coming out/acknowledging that they're gay will be news right up until the moment it isn't anymore.

Good post.

 

[obc]

so long as they ball on the pitch, i don't particularly care who they ball off it... provided it's not my wife.

 

[Thorny]

I have many gay friends and I don't know why any footballer's private life is so important...unless of course it is affecting their on field performance.

The main factor I see is how gay footballers are treated in the dressing room.

I've asked this question to many of my team mates

"how would you feel if you had to share a change room with a gay guy?"

...and it's the same as most responses here. We wouldn't care, it doesn't change who he is on the field.

 

[Eggs]

...I'd be fine with one of ours coming out. We have a history of setting the standards in the game and so often being 'the first'. Long may that continue.

 

[Norwegian Cow]

Why do they want to come out anyway? Their business. They're there to play football. I dont want to know what they get up to outside of that.

Are you serious? Why do people want to be honest - and proud - about who they are?

The attitude to homosexuality in football is flipping medieval.

I agree with Davek here. I dont care if they are straight or gay. I care about if they are good footballers and also a little bit good personalities. So why would they want to go to the media etc and tell people that they are gay? no need for it, cause it doesnt matter. Just like its no point for a straight player to go out to the media telling he is straight.

 

[Elong]

I don't care about their sexuality. Much like I don't care about their religion, favourite wrestler or band.

However, I do care about the reasons why so few (if any?) have come out. That's the bigger issue for me.

Not long ago over here there was a change of leadership in the opposition (politics), one of the candidates was openly gay. He wasn't selected as the new leader. If he was, the party would be screwed, because this country (and I'm sure the UK) isn't ready for an openly gay PM.

Perhaps the UK isn't ready for an openly gay footballer either? This forum certainly is, there's some fantastic responses, but Joe Public is a casual racist and homophobe even in this day and age, which is sad, and certainly the more important issue to address. Perhaps a player coming out would help curtail that train of thought, but for me personally, I'm not arsed.

 

[FCBarça]

I had a great pickup game in SF for several years, mix of men & women - different ages, races and sexual orientation...Even one particular guy who started out as a guy when I first joined the group and gradually was transforming into a woman by the time I left 7 years later

It's a nonissue, IMO

 

[BiggyRat]

The blind spot of so many of you on this thread is worrying. It's like you're not interested in debating and understanding the topic.

That includes the "i don't care" brigade as well as the homophobes.

The "i don't care" attitude is right, we're just not quite there yet.

Bit of a mixed message there. Some of us don't care, but we need to debate each other in order to not care???

With respect, it sounds a little like GWB, you're either with us, or against us.

If you're assuming that not caring means turning a blind eye to discrimination, then that a huge generalisation. If I don't care, then its because I consider it a non issue. I live in a society where it is socially acceptable and granted, there are still people who are narrow minded enough to make an issue of it and make it tough for those who choose that life.

This is where I think PC has it wrong. The more you artificially suppress it (Newspeak), the more it simmers underneath. Let the bigots rant and rave, let the racists stand up and be counted. Soon enough, people will see the hate for what it is and eventually, they will be the marginalised people in society.

Also, if you make 'coming out' an event, then it will always be considered 'reportable' by the press for the "Oooh Edna, look at that!" brigade.

 

[Clint Planet]

If you don't agree with something it must mean it bothers you.

Your a biggot. The end.

"They" don't bother him. He doesn't agree with "it."

Yep. Bigot.

 

[Groucho]

El hadj Diouf is a Tom Daley isn't he.

Originally posted by Sozzled
Im a muslim

Not sure what you're trying to imply? Could you expand?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Raises an interesting point doesn't it? At what point do things become unacceptable? Is it ok to believe homosexuality is wrong as long as you keep those views to yourself and don't act in a prejudicial way? When does it cross the line into well meaning thought police?

 

[1966efc]

Raises an interesting point doesn't it? At what point do things become unacceptable? Is it ok to believe homosexuality is wrong as long as you keep those views to yourself and don't act in a prejudicial way? When does it cross the line into well meaning thought police?

People have all sorts of outlandish beliefs. I'm sure there are still people who believe the sun revolves round the earth and Suarez isn't a diver. We label those people "eccentric" and rather than laying siege to their mindset, move on with the rest of society.

Given that part of the definition of prejudice is "unreasoned", it isn't surprising in any way that reasoned arguments fail to sway their stance on the issue.

Most people seem to believe that being gay is nothing out of the ordinary; a few don't agree. If those few take perverse pride in that position then spending time arguing with them only waters their foolish conceit. No, as long as they follow the law as it relates to equality issues, let them fester.

 

[Sozzled]

Not sure what you're trying to imply? Could you expand?

El Hadj Diouf is gay. Nothing happened to him.

And I'm a Muslim?

 

[Hayee]

I have many gay friends and I don't know why any footballer's private life is so important...unless of course it is affecting their on field performance.

The main factor I see is how gay footballers are treated in the dressing room.

I've asked this question to many of my team mates ...and it's the same as most responses here. We wouldn't care, it doesn't change who he is on the field.

Good its nice to hear; there's all too often the assumption that homosexuals will want to pounce on everyone - i've heard so many times "oh she's a lesbian so she must fancy you" - so what, my best friend was a lesbian, it doesn't mean she ever wanted to jump me, in the same way that i'm straight - it doesn't mean i fancy every male going, far from it!