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Jake Daniels becomes first UK male footballer to come out as gay since 1990
The Blackpool forward Jake Daniels has become the UK’s first professional male football player to come out as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990.
Daniels, 17, said he had hidden his sexual identity as a young man “because I wanted to be a professional footballer”. He said that now the “time is right to be myself, be free and be confident with it all”.
...
“Blackpool have been absolutely amazing too,” Daniels added. “I am with them every day and I felt safe. My teammates have all been so supportive about it and everyone has had my back They’ve been asking tons of questions, they have all been intrigued and their reaction has been brilliant. It’s the best thing I could have asked for.
...
Last year, Adelaide United’s Josh Cavallo became the then only male top-flight professional footballer in the world to come out as gay. The A-League Men midfielder said he knew there are other players “living in silence” and later revealed to the Guardian that he would be “scared” to play at this year’s World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/16/jake-daniels-becomes-first-uk-male-footballer-to-come-out-as-gay-since-1990
Daniels, 17, said he had hidden his sexual identity as a young man “because I wanted to be a professional footballer”. He said that now the “time is right to be myself, be free and be confident with it all”.
...
“Blackpool have been absolutely amazing too,” Daniels added. “I am with them every day and I felt safe. My teammates have all been so supportive about it and everyone has had my back They’ve been asking tons of questions, they have all been intrigued and their reaction has been brilliant. It’s the best thing I could have asked for.
...
Last year, Adelaide United’s Josh Cavallo became the then only male top-flight professional footballer in the world to come out as gay. The A-League Men midfielder said he knew there are other players “living in silence” and later revealed to the Guardian that he would be “scared” to play at this year’s World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/16/jake-daniels-becomes-first-uk-male-footballer-to-come-out-as-gay-since-1990
He is very young; that probably helps in that, in his age group, acceptance will be very wide; but the problem with soccer is the fans, some of whom are still bigots. The sport has struggled against racism, and homophobia won't disappear overnight. I thank and congratulate Jake, and hope he gets all the support he'll need, and will be a trailblazer.