Now ex pro footballer, but well done to him, it's still very brave and I wish him all the best.
I just really want a footballer whose playing in the English leagues now to come out. It's gonna have to be someone incredibly brave but they would get more support than I think anyone expects. Someone needs to come out for the issue to be tackled and that's the problem.
I think it's a good thing Jack Wilshere deleted his twitter or he might be bombarded with soppy, lust-filled tweets from myself.
^lol I bet he'd get those sort of comments all the time.
As for a player coming out I agree its not going to be easy. Most sports need a torch bearer, rugby had Gareth Thomas (but I think he's retired), and cricket has Steven Davis. I suppose we'd have to have a former player come out before an active one does, and even then it won't be overnight.
Maybe if some of the Premier league teams did one of those "It Gets Better" videos like they have done in the States, it might help perception with some of the fan base.
Yes it's going to be difficult and might not happen for a long time still, unfortunately.
It doesn't help that when Amelle Fashanu did a documentary on the issue the majority of footballers wouldn't even talk about the issue. Joey Barton, bizarrely, has a lot of respect from me.
Feels like ages since I came here. Been down Manchester the last couple of days, canal street was quite an experience. the recovery process has been arduous though...
Taken the plunge to join the gym today. I really want to tone up so I don't feel inferior to Brazilian-pride-float style-rock hard-abs!
Shame about Beyonce, but they went in 10 mins so there's probably no end that were disappointed. Pity really as some times proper fans get screwed out of it.
Good Luck on the video interview. Makes me feel old if they're doing interviews by videocall these days.
Shame about Beyonce, but they went in 10 mins so there's probably no end that were disappointed. Pity really as some times proper fans get screwed out of it.
I know, what annoys me is the lot who clearly by to make money - did you see someone had a bid of £2000 on ebay! :mad:
Besides - who would pay that?
But I suppose you can't really do much more - regulate it more and its just a nuisance for the buyers/attendees
Good Luck on the video interview. Makes me feel old if they're doing interviews by videocall these days.
Haha, thanks. I'll sit it tomorrow. Its the first I've heard of these ones. I know they conduct skype ones etc. But this one you sit anytime before the date given and you just talk to the screen... then it gets sent away to them.
^We can do a bit of debate now and again.. I'll try and start us off.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
or
With the increase of awareness in media etc. is it now harder to stay in the closet? / easier for people to make assumptions?
I'll answer both, because, well, why not:p?
Do I believe in love at first sight?
Hmm, it's a pretty complex question, which looks simple at first.
First, we'd have to define love, which as you can see by it's definition on wikipedia, encompasses more than romantic love.
I'm going to make an assumption that you refer to romantic love.
Romantic love as a phenomena is probably characterised by brain chemicals being released.
I'd suggest that attraction is a part of love, but is not love itself, and as such, love at first sight wouldn't be plausible.
Of course nothing in life is 100%.
So yeah, that's my conclusion on love at first sight. It's more like lust at first sight:D.
Onto the second question:
With the increase of awareness in media etc. is it now harder to stay in the closet? / easier for people to make assumptions?
This again is a pretty complex question.
Is it harder to stay in the closet?
I don't think it is, the recent case with say, Robbie Rogers shows that you can easily stay in the closet if you don't match socio-cultural stereotypes of a typical gay man.
I definitely think people make assumptions more these days though especially if someone matches up to stereotypes.
As a guy, if you happen to have what are considered effeminate characteristics or mannerisms, often you are assumed to be gay, even if you're not.
There are actually kids killing themselves who are bullied for being gay, even though they identify as heterosexual. There was a big case in the U.S a few years back, that was particularly sad, because the kid was about 11 years old:(.
The increased media coverage also has it's negatives too, which I don't think I need to go into.
So yeah, both questions answered!
Time for one of my own I think.
If you were in power in government, what would you do to change the startling statistic that LGBT identifying teens are 30% more likely to commit suicide when compared to their heterosexual peers?
^wow.. now there's a question. Hmm, I don't know what single thing can be done. I guess that more work needs to be done in schools to help educate not only the hetrosexual side of the fence, but perhaps the LGBT side as well. After all not everyone knows or understands their own situation when they're at school.
Comments
I just really want a footballer whose playing in the English leagues now to come out. It's gonna have to be someone incredibly brave but they would get more support than I think anyone expects. Someone needs to come out for the issue to be tackled and that's the problem.
I think it's a good thing Jack Wilshere deleted his twitter or he might be bombarded with soppy, lust-filled tweets from myself.
As for a player coming out I agree its not going to be easy. Most sports need a torch bearer, rugby had Gareth Thomas (but I think he's retired), and cricket has Steven Davis. I suppose we'd have to have a former player come out before an active one does, and even then it won't be overnight.
Maybe if some of the Premier league teams did one of those "It Gets Better" videos like they have done in the States, it might help perception with some of the fan base.
It doesn't help that when Amelle Fashanu did a documentary on the issue the majority of footballers wouldn't even talk about the issue. Joey Barton, bizarrely, has a lot of respect from me.
Yeah, Jack does have quite the fanclub.
And then you get people like Max Clifford advising people to stay in the closet because he wants to make money off them.
Taken the plunge to join the gym today. I really want to tone up so I don't feel inferior to Brazilian-pride-float style-rock hard-abs!
It seems really unfair that straight ahead out of the window in front of the treadmills at the leisure centre gym I go to is McDonald's... Lol!
All is good here! How are all you lovely people?
I actually met someone a few weeks ago who turned out to be a member of this forum... he's probably reading this
Hopefully I'll manage something on Saturday!
How are you gays?
And hello to him if he is reading this!
Not too bad, you?
Whats up mi amigos!
Same really.
Didn't end up getting Beyonce tickets!
In other news, I've managed to get a video interview for a summer internship - how very exciting and scary!
Good Luck on the video interview. Makes me feel old if they're doing interviews by videocall these days.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21566002
I know, what annoys me is the lot who clearly by to make money - did you see someone had a bid of £2000 on ebay! :mad:
Besides - who would pay that?
But I suppose you can't really do much more - regulate it more and its just a nuisance for the buyers/attendees
Haha, thanks.
I saw that! There was a thread or two in GD. But I think it was because there was no double rooms left? I haven't read too much into it tbh.
Well if that was the case, it'd make sense, and then they were jumping to conclusions.
If that's accurate, then that's dreadful. I wouldn't think that sort of rubbish would happen in a large city hotel.
We welcome all in here, and it was never intended to keep anyone out.
This thread started out in GD as a discussion thread, but when it became more chattery, we got dumped here:p.
However, its a nice little hideaway. Where's every hour is happy hour!
Lol I know what you mean, but really it is the right place.
It didn't start off that way. Believe or not once upon a time there used to be some real discussion/debate!
Do you believe in love at first sight?
or
With the increase of awareness in media etc. is it now harder to stay in the closet? / easier for people to make assumptions?
I'll answer both, because, well, why not:p?
Do I believe in love at first sight?
Hmm, it's a pretty complex question, which looks simple at first.
First, we'd have to define love, which as you can see by it's definition on wikipedia, encompasses more than romantic love.
I'm going to make an assumption that you refer to romantic love.
Romantic love as a phenomena is probably characterised by brain chemicals being released.
I'd suggest that attraction is a part of love, but is not love itself, and as such, love at first sight wouldn't be plausible.
Of course nothing in life is 100%.
So yeah, that's my conclusion on love at first sight. It's more like lust at first sight:D.
Onto the second question:
With the increase of awareness in media etc. is it now harder to stay in the closet? / easier for people to make assumptions?
This again is a pretty complex question.
Is it harder to stay in the closet?
I don't think it is, the recent case with say, Robbie Rogers shows that you can easily stay in the closet if you don't match socio-cultural stereotypes of a typical gay man.
I definitely think people make assumptions more these days though especially if someone matches up to stereotypes.
As a guy, if you happen to have what are considered effeminate characteristics or mannerisms, often you are assumed to be gay, even if you're not.
There are actually kids killing themselves who are bullied for being gay, even though they identify as heterosexual. There was a big case in the U.S a few years back, that was particularly sad, because the kid was about 11 years old:(.
The increased media coverage also has it's negatives too, which I don't think I need to go into.
So yeah, both questions answered!
Time for one of my own I think.
If you were in power in government, what would you do to change the startling statistic that LGBT identifying teens are 30% more likely to commit suicide when compared to their heterosexual peers?