What should gay footballers know about coming out? With Zander Murray

A project in Germany called “Sports Free” has suggested gay and bi professional footballers in the men’s game should consider coming out as a group.

The date of May 17 - which is IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia - has been put forward as a window of opportunity for this.

But what would go through the mind of a gay player who is considering taking this step? Does nothing but happiness and freedom lie on the other side - or is it a different kind of pressure?

Zander Murray took that step himself, individually, back in September 2002, making history in Scottish football. 

He now delivers workshops that provide guidance to young people on how to create inclusive spaces in the game. These sessions with TIE Scotland are having a big impact in Scotland and Zander hopes to take this work to more clubs, academies and schools.

On a special episode of the FvH Podcast, he talks about the challenges he overcame when coming out, and gives his take on the interest around possible comings out on May 17, including by the British media.

He also explains why he’s so passionate about education and describes his “dream” for a future in which footballers everywhere get the info they need to empathise with any teammates who might be gay or bi, or to be their authentic selves if they are LGBTQ+ themselves.

This episode is hosted by FvH media and comms lead Jon Holmes, produced by Sports Media LGBT+.

Activate FvH in your football space - just head to footballvhomophobia.com/fvt for info, or contact us! We value your support.

Links

Follow Zander on social media - https://linktr.ee/zandermurray 

About the TIE workshops - https://tie.scot/news/ties-anti-homophobia-football-project-to-feature-in-rylan-clark-documentary/

About the football media interest around May 17 - https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/13/24093764/gay-footballers-coming-out-group-may-17-sports-free-bundesliga-media-hype/

Thanks for listening - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials using the hashtag #FvH2024 and #IDAHOBIT2024. We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too.

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