ruddick Posted 12 August, 2009 Posted 12 August, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8197306.stm What are people's opinion on this? Is it an issue? Should the FA and clubs be dealing with it as much as cutting "racism" from the game? Would you challenge homophobic abuse in the terraces or welcome moves too or do you think there isn't a place for footballers to 'come out'? Just interested as this has made big news on BBC site as to what people think?
Colinjb Posted 12 August, 2009 Posted 12 August, 2009 It's a hangover from years of ignorance and fear from people too small minded to really appreciate what they are attacking. It's different therefore it is a threat. Like racism, homophobia will eventually mellow out, but there always be a minority of idiots who use it to vent their own pent up fears and insecurities.
lee_saint Posted 12 August, 2009 Posted 12 August, 2009 I can only remember, recently, being that Doncaster player who was openly gay....obviously there has been talk of others.
skintsaint Posted 12 August, 2009 Posted 12 August, 2009 this thread is gay... seriously...not sure you will ever get rid of it, like racism...always a minority who will abuse.
skintsaint Posted 12 August, 2009 Posted 12 August, 2009 I can only remember, recently, being that Doncaster player who was openly gay....obviously there has been talk of others. Have you ever seen Sol with a bird?
Special K Posted 13 August, 2009 Posted 13 August, 2009 "anti gay abuse"? I'm not sure i've ever heard any at teh game. I've heard some funny banter though, so maybe that's the same thing. Is a chant to Brighton fans of "Does your boyfriend know you're here?" qualify as "anti-gay abuse?" And why is calling Beckham a poof any different to calling him a ****? Perhaps we should get Graham Norton and Alan Carr to be guest pundits on MOTD to highlight the issue.
the stain Posted 13 August, 2009 Posted 13 August, 2009 Don't think I've ever noticed it as much of an issue in the stands. But there must be something rotten amongst professional footballers that none of them ever come out. It's statistically way beyond improbable that there have only ever been two gay men playing in the English league. David James wrote a pretty good column about this a couple of years ago... http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/apr/15/sport.comment2
OldNick Posted 13 August, 2009 Posted 13 August, 2009 Have you ever seen Sol with a bird?Yes he lived with a woman interior designer. My friend did a lot of work for him as an architect.He still would prefer Freddie Lundberg than a woman IMO though
Colinjb Posted 13 August, 2009 Posted 13 August, 2009 And why is calling Beckham a poof any different to calling him a ****? That in a nutshell is the crux of the problem. I intend no offence here Special K but this casual association of Gay = Insult is only going to keep gay people from feeling like they can truly be themselves for fear of ridicule and isolation.
ruddick Posted 13 August, 2009 Author Posted 13 August, 2009 That in a nutshell is the crux of the problem. I intend no offence here Special K but this casual association of Gay = Insult is only going to keep gay people from feeling like they can truly be themselves for fear of ridicule and isolation. Hmmm - I think you have a point - footballers will recieve abuse. Always. If they play well not from their fans, if they play badly def from their fans. Always from the opposition. My contention is that a gay out player scoring every week would be loved by their team no matter what but it would be the default setting for the other fans to attack thei sexuality. Similarly for some of the players fans if they started playing badly that too would be the default setting for attack.
Pancake Posted 13 August, 2009 Posted 13 August, 2009 My contention is that a gay out player scoring every week would be loved by their team no matter what but it would be the default setting for the other fans to attack thei sexuality. Similarly for some of the players fans if they started playing badly that too would be the default setting for attack. I think the point is that there is a need to make the attitude described above socially unacceptable; in the same way that it is (rightly) unacceptable to use the colour or ethnicity of a player. Im all for calling a player a ****, a ******, a plank whatever when they are ****e or play or the oppo; just not a "black ******" or a "faggot ****".
ruddick Posted 13 August, 2009 Author Posted 13 August, 2009 I think the point is that there is a need to make the attitude described above socially unacceptable; in the same way that it is (rightly) unacceptable to use the colour or ethnicity of a player. Im all for calling a player a ****, a ******, a plank whatever when they are ****e or play or the oppo; just not a "black ******" or a "faggot ****". Agreed - do you think a campaign of the size of the anti-racism campaign that has made those sort of comments unacceptable in the terraces is needed for this issue?
Pancake Posted 13 August, 2009 Posted 13 August, 2009 Agreed - do you think a campaign of the size of the anti-racism campaign that has made those sort of comments unacceptable in the terraces is needed for this issue? I think the anti-racism campaign in football worked because it because unacceptable in other social circles before or around the same time. I still fell that this country is more inclined to be homophobic (even in jest) in everyday life, so a full scale campaign - whilst working to some degree - would not that the impact of the anti-racism one. Plus, the fact is that with the anti-racism campaign, your average Dave The Fan could see that he had black players in his team, and he cheered them on. There is no-one for Dave The Fan to link homosexuality too in football bar Justin Fashanu, no-one in his team. That is the reason it would fail. (IMHO, natch)
ruddick Posted 13 August, 2009 Author Posted 13 August, 2009 I think the anti-racism campaign in football worked because it because unacceptable in other social circles before or around the same time. I still fell that this country is more inclined to be homophobic (even in jest) in everyday life, so a full scale campaign - whilst working to some degree - would not that the impact of the anti-racism one. Plus, the fact is that with the anti-racism campaign, your average Dave The Fan could see that he had black players in his team, and he cheered them on. There is no-one for Dave The Fan to link homosexuality too in football bar Justin Fashanu, no-one in his team. That is the reason it would fail. (IMHO, natch) Yep - all good points - I think you are prob right! Really interesting issue - great to get people's opinions on it - cheers!
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