And football waits with bated breath.
An anonymous Twitter account The Gay Footballer recently tweeted: “I’m a professional footballer, playing for a club in the @SkyBetChamp. I will be revealing my identity soon. But I am a proud gay man hoping to break the mold. I am under the age of 23, and today I came out to my family. Soon, I will come out publicly… Today I came out to my family. I have hidden my sexuality for far too long. My family responded amazingly well, and other than a few close friends, they were the first to know.”
Whether this is a stunt or not, we can only hope.
The account which was created at the start of the month July 5thhad garnered over 17, 000 followers including some professional footballers.
As of today, there are no professional male openly gay footballer in the British league. Which somehow makes this event historic and timely considering the impact from the World cup winning US team that had several openly gay players including Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, Tierna Davidson, Ashlyn Harris, Adrianna Franch, and coach Jill Ellis.
The anonymous tweeter posted on Sunday; his identity will be revealed once he had prepared himself. And that he had requested a meeting with the club chairman and manager.
“At this meeting I revealed to both gentlemen that I am a homosexual man, I explained that I had only yesterday come out to my family.
“I sought advice from both men regarding the fact that I not only want to but will, come out publicly as a proud, confident gay professional footballer.
“As it currently stands, once I have taken the time to give full consideration to how and when I am to make it public, a press conference will be organized by the club, with invitations to be made in due course to both local and national press.”
People’s reactions have been positive so far; though, with couple of abusive tweets aimed at the account holder.
Marvin Sordell, former League one Burton Albion player and previously for the Premier League, tweeted to the “Gay Footballer” ‘wish you nothing but good fortune with this next step in life. So many things will be said, but your vulnerability in this situation is such a powerful sign of your strength. I’ve got huge respect for you doing something that is monumental for our sport.’
And as expected several people including Gay football fans are talking about the tweets and waiting to see who’s behind the account.
Chris Hicks, Sydney Rangers – the Gay club – player said, he and his teammates have been talking about the Gay Footballer for weeks.
According to Chris, “We’re waiting to see what’s happening and now it looks like we’ll know in a few days one way or another. We’re hopeful it’s not a hoax and that the response is positive,” he said.
“It would be a real sign that players can come out and have the support of not only the crowds but their teammates too.
For kids struggling with their identity, it would be an amazing moment for them to see that anything is possible.”
The account holder on Friday suddenly tweeted what is suspected to be the date for the announcement – July 24.
