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Gay Soccer Players Should Not Come Out, Says German Captain |
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Written by Instinct Staff |
Monday, 29 August 2011
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| Tags: philipp lahm, germany, football, soccer, professional athletes, coming out, gay, lgbt, reuters |
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While many would like to believe that we don't exist, we, in fact, do. And others seem to think that staying in the closet is better for men in traditionally masculine industries. But just because coming out isn't easy, doesn't mean it isn't the right thing to do. Details on one German footballer's comments after the jump.
In his autobiography The Subtle Difference, German football (soccer) captain Philipp Lahm says, "I would not advise any gay professional footballer to come out." Adding, "I would fear that he could end up like Justin Fashanu who after he outed himself was driven into such a corner that he ended up committing suicide." However, the 27-year-old added that he personally would have no problems if a player decided to come out.
Reuters reports that "a study of football professionals, coaches and referees conducted in Britain last year showed there was still a culture of secrecy surrounding gay players with more than one in four people polled saying they knew homosexual soccer players."
"I have nothing against homosexuals and I do not consider homosexuality as something reprehensible," he said.
Yeah, not helpful. Furthermore, there is a world of difference between 1998 and 2011 in regards to LGBT equality.
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