FEATURE: LOUD AND PROUD: PRIDE IN THE QUEER COMMUNITY
Updated: May 2, 2025
Women’s football is seen as inclusive and welcoming, with a diverse community of personalities and backgrounds.
Seven Lionesses are openly gay, including Beth Mead, Bethany England, Lauren Hemp, and Jess Carter.
In the men's game, Jake Daniels of Blackpool FC remains the only openly gay player across all four tiers, the first since 1990.
FIFA estimates that there are around 130,000 professional footballers worldwide, yet only a handful have publicly come out.
A Shift In Society?
A 2016 study by charities Stonewall, Scotland’s Equality Network, and Youth Chances found that 72% of football fans had heard homophobic abuse at matches.
One-third of respondents felt uncomfortable being open about their identity in sports clubs.
Additionally, many young people viewed anti-LGBTQ+ language as harmless if intended as 'banter.'
While 59% of respondents recognised offensive language toward queer individuals as an issue in sports, only 28% of young people saw it as such.
Though attitudes are shifting, homophobic language is still common in football.
A study by FIFAPro found over 90% of abuse aimed at female footballers was sexist or homophobic, often targeting those open about their political views or sexual orientation.
Growth In The Game?
Women’s football is booming, creating space for diverse communities, especially LGBTQ+ fans, to feel seen and welcomed. Many clubs are embracing their ties to the queer community.
Arsenal captain Kim Little said:
“I feel a lot of pride being part of a club that genuinely connects with the queer community. We represent our supporters, whatever their background, and want people from the LGBTQIA+ community to know this is a club for them.'
Building a home in sports is vital for the community, yet research by Stonewall shows barriers remain.
1 in 4 LGBTQ+ people felt unwelcome at live sporting events or in community teams.
Nearly 1 in 3 felt unwelcome watching live sport in pubs.
1 in 5 experienced discrimination at events or fitness groups. For minority ethnic individuals, this rose to 1 in 3.
However, signs of progress are emerging.
Research from 2023 showed that 56% of Britons saw gay athletes as positive role models.
Campaigns like Football Pride actively promote inclusivity in sport.
Nerea Fernandes
Writer
Her Football Sphere
April 2025
Word count: 360
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