Richie Anderson is a BBC reporter and grassroots football player from the UK. He’s been working on a story about homophobia in his sport.
Last weekend, Anderson decided to come out to his teammates as part of his project. The guys knew he was working on a program about grassroots football. But they had no idea it was going to have a gay angle.
Related: Former footballer Robbie Rogers marries successful TV producer Greg Berlanti
Anderson made the big reveal on match day after his team had just won a game 7-2. He asked his teammates to meet him in the locker room along with the camera crew.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“One of the big issues that we’ve looked this week,” he began before getting choked up.
After taking a moment to collect himself, he continued, “Sorry. It’s really close to my heart–it’s homophobia in football. And the reason why that means a lot to me is I’m a gay footballer.”
Related: Italian footballer celebrates big win by ripping off his pants
“I just wanted to be open and honest because with you lot it’s just been class. This is really hard for me to do now.”
Much to his surprise, his teammates responded by breaking out into applause. Afterwards, he received lots of affirmations, handshakes, and pats on the back.
Watch.
'It's time to tell my team-mates I'm gay'. We're really proud of our presenter @richie_anderson who appeared on the One Show last night. Watch the full film about homophobia in grass roots football here https://t.co/JXex5cDdCc pic.twitter.com/H3itc5rMj7
— BBC WM 95.6 (@bbcwm) January 23, 2018
charlie_jackpot
Well they were hardly gonna do anything negative with the cameras rolling
I want to be positive and I do think these kind of things in the mainstream media will help with representation but his situation is not ordinary
badpappy
why do you feel compelled to be so negative? Does it make you feel better?
chris33133
I wonder how many of them thought: “Well, it’s about time he came out!”
He BGB
It’s the UK. They don’t have the evangelical problem the US does (do they?). It started when England got rid of those pilgrims we celebrate every November……
Celtic
Sad, but true. Worse is how those evangelicals are about as far from The Gospels and the Teachings as one can get. They are anything but “Christian”, self-righteous stone throwers and apostates.
Redmage
He can run into nasty people there, like in the US… However, the real problem he can face over there, are Islamic fascist… Gay men in Europe, are being beaten, raped, and or killed by Muslim men.. The media never wants to talk about it, because they put political correctness above the safety of its citizens.
scotshot
@Redmage Is that the reason behind the assaults and murders of LGBTQ in America?
No, in the USA “American Christian Terrorists gladly perform that function.
nm4047
@Remage, your statement and lack of any evidence is based on what? I’m sure you’re familiar with the lager louts of the UK. A rather spurious claim you have made. The evidence has been well and truly seen on footage of the white lager louts rampage and bashings. Or the their appearance at many gay support marches.
masterwill7
@Redmage I’m from Europe, and can not relate to the ridiculous clame about muslim men..! Some eastern countries(like Hungary and Poland) are not that open minded about Gay people as the rest of Europe, but there are NO muslims in these countries..! It’s the “christian” religion that makes people act like idiots (just like the USA or Russia)..
bill195463
can we send them back? The Pilgrims I mean. Even though they all died out the Puritanism remains 250 yrs later.
He BGB
It’s very disturbing the homophobia that still exists. Don’t laugh but I read a Dear Abby letter this morning from a 17 year old trying to come out to her mother, who thinks it’s a “phase”. Most of the letters showed so much ignorance and hate. I guess many of the posters are older senior citizens, but I was shocked. About 90 percent were taking the mother’s side. And too, we have to take into consideration it’s troll city online, much as it can be here,so you can’t take it too seriously.
SiamSam
Looks like you’re referring to this:
http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/2018/1/27/0/newly-out-teenager-seeks-dismissive-moms
The comments are drenched with “ignorance” and “hate?” No teenager has ever gone through a same sex experimentation phase? It is well known female sexuality is more fluid than male. Hysterical overreactions like yours make many of us “homophobic-phobic.”
Maybe the mother knows more than you about her own daughter? For all we know, the daughter might regularly do “shocking” things just to troll her mother. But let’s just assume the worst of people and label them hateful homophobes. That will win hearts and minds!
Donston
SiamSam, your comments sometimes come off as a bit sketchy and anti-gay, whether you mean them to or not. I understand that sexuality is not always stagnant nor is it always one-dimension. And I also understand that there are many things that can drive people’s identity, lifestyle and sexual behavior. If I’m being super specific I’d say I’m a homo-romantic gay-leaning pan-sexual. Hell, I would guess that under 40% of people are truly 100%, thoroughly, completely straight or gay. However, assuming homosexuality is a “phase” is always the wrong way for a parent to approach their child coming out. Having an in depth discussion with your child about orientation, attraction, desire, romantic instincts, romantic satisfactions, mental health, physical health, etc. post coming out – that’s one thing. But dismissing it as a “phase” will almost always do more harm than good. Even if it is a “phase” it will often still lead to a child and parent having a falling out and the child feeling as if they can’t open up to their parent. If it is their orientation/majority orientation and it’s something that’ll embrace for life then it could lead to self-resentment, self-denial and sometimes a permanent falling out between parent and child. And sorry, but sometimes parents don’t have a clue about what’s going on with their kids. Mine didn’t.
James
He is hot.
Dakotahgeo
As a confirmed gay retired Baptist minister, I am in awe of all the people, young and old, who are finally coming out and being the persons God made them to be! I’ve counseled many a young person who is having problems with his/her sexual orientation and have thankfully been able to steer them in correct pro-counseling encounters! Blessings and peace. My favorite line for “theoretical christians” is, “Some people are so heavenly-minded, they’re no earthly good!” Peace! Pastor Dak and partner for ten years with Ario Santos!
Kieran
Beautiful.
hansniemeijer
Personally I don’t understand why I should explain a part of my personality. I never came out, I just want to have sex with some men. Period
Mike999
Hans…I don’t think even you believe this – it sounds defensive – but if you are hidden, it costs you. Being gay isn’t part of your “personality”, it is who you are. Not totally, but a big part. Some part of you is ashamed or feels lesser or you would not be hiding it. Stop kidding yourself, mate. Don’t come out
if it is so scary to you, but trust me, it is costing you big time.
batesmotel
No big announcement is necessary unless that’s what you choose. Some do because they’re taught that you have to make a big announcement with it, which is absurd. On the other hand, public figures making the announcement is a more positive one as it reaches people who are gay and hiding, or it reaches those in denial that gay doesn’t exist.
Sam6969
Mike999, not everybody makes an identity out of their sexual orientation, you know. Some people just live their (sexual and love) life without giving much thought to other people’s opinion and do not feel the need to explain themselves. I know several people like Hansniemeijer. Personally, I came out so many times before, but now I do not feel the need to explain myself to anyone and tell people, who I like/love. It is none of their business and I actually DO NOT NEED to talk about it anymore.
Donston
Well, everyone’s a bit different. Some people do come out and make a big deal of it for the attention, as a narcissistic instinct. However, many people experience things like internalized homophobia, self-denial, self-resentment, religious guilt, depression, and coming out is a way to release a lot of that. (Unfortunately, sometimes these things don’t go away even after coming out). Some people experience homophobia from family, friends, community, etc, and coming out is a way to combat that hate or rejection. And it’s not like homophobia is going away. Male-based homophobia in sports in particular, especially in the states, is still a huge issue. So, the more people to come out the better for us all.
If you truly want to be with someone of your same gender then coming out is unavoidable. I’ve realized that being gay and living a “gay lifestyle” can only be a truly comfortable fit for anyone if they have the desire and ability to love and commit to and be romantically and sexually satisfied with someone of the same gender who also wants to love and commit to someone of the same gender. If that’s not you then things can be messy. And things like self-resentment/internalized homophobia/self-destructive instincts often persists. The ultimate goal isn’t to go around shouting, “I’m gay” to everyone. The goal is, if you are gay or gay-leaning, to get to a place where you feel no shame or feel no reason to manipulate people or hide things from people.