Thomas Hitzlsperger announces he is gay

[Amblève. 4,995]

Thomas Hitzlsperger has become the most high-profile footballer to come out, announcing on Wednesday that he is gay. The former Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton player has given a long interview to the German paper Die Zeit, in which he says that he is talking about his sexuality because he wants "to further the debate about homosexuality among sports professionals".

Hitzlsperger represented Germany 52 times, played in a World Cup and a European Championship and won the Bundesliga with Stuttgart. He retired in September last year, having also played for Lazio in Italy and Wolfsburg. "It's been a long and difficult process" [of becoming aware of being gay]. Only in the last few years have I realised that I preferred living together with a man," Hitzlsperger added.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/08/thomas-hitzlsperger-gay-announces-homosexual

Fair play to him. However, shame this topic is still one of those you're not allowed to talk about as an active professional footballer.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

It's a joke people even have to "come out", as if being gay is something socially unacceptable. I couldn't give a fuck if you're gay, straight, bi-sexual or otherwise. Do what the hell makes you happy; be whatever makes you happy. Life's too short to worry what narrow-minded bigots, whose heads are so far up their own arses, have to say or think.

[Spike 12,049]

Good for him. Shame he had to wait so long.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Good for him, although on the day that FIFA reveals what a clusterfuck the Qatar World Cup is going to be old Thomas has probably made sure he can't attend it.

[Fulham Broadway 17,312]

Excellent. Hope he is the first of many to come out that are undoubtably gay as well, brave bloke

[DavidEU 2,023]

It's a joke people even have to "come out", as if being gay is something socially unacceptable. I couldn't give a fuck if you're gay, straight, bi-sexual or otherwise. Do what the hell makes you happy; be whatever makes you happy. Life's too short to worry what narrow-minded bigots, whose heads are so far up their own arses, have to say or think.

I get what you're saying but if I was part of a sport where, for ten years, a heterosexual man had the words 'we wont give a fuck when you're hanging from a tree, you judas cunt with HIV' sung to him on a weekly basis based on rumour, I wouldnt come out either. For those who don't remember this, I'm referring to Sol Campbell.

97/98% of British fans wouldn't have a problem with a gay footballer in this country. Its the odd idiot that makes it terrifying. Look at the coverage Tom Daley has had. Not to belittle him or his sport, but an olympic diver is no where near the same 'league' as a Premier League and international footballer.

It does need to happen, and I pray it does soon. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

But most importantly today, congratulations Thomas. You're a brave man and I'm proud of you.

[manpe 10,861]

Who cares.

[DavidEU 2,023]

Who cares.

For those who do here in England, Gary Lineker will be interviewing him for Football Focus, this coming Saturday lunchtime. I'll post an exact time nearer the show if I remember.

[Jase 43,479]

He is shit.

What a contribution to the discussion....................

[Pot Noodle 9]

He is shit.

Don't really think that's a factor in this whole discussion

[Roquila 1,335]

Sad that this is still an issue. Mankind is regressing slowly.

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

He is shit.

Fuck off.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Good for him, although on the day that FIFA reveals what a clusterfuck the Qatar World Cup is going to be old Thomas has probably made sure he can't attend it.

What? Can you spend one single day without criticizing other countries?

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I'm more interested to know how he survived in secret like this.

Probably liking some of his team mates in secret and checking them out?? Or if some team mates find out and they are uncomfortable around him and avoid him in the dressing room?

Feel sorry for him in such terrible conditions for him but at least he's out of his bondage now.

Its a hard situation for a gay person playing mens team sport.

[DavidEU 2,023]

I'm more interested to know how he survived in secret like this.

Probably liking some of his team mates in secret and checking them out?? Or if some team mates find out and they are uncomfortable around him and avoid him in the dressing room?

Feel sorry for him in such terrible conditions for him but at least he's out of his bondage now.

Its a hard situation for a gay person playing mens team sport.

I'd like to think a lot of his teammates knew and supported him through it and kept it secret from the media. Now that would be progression.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I'd like to think a lot of his teammates knew and supported him through it and kept it secret from the media. Now that would be progression.

That would actually be nice for a change. As long as there are no pple like casilas to leak out information to the media

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I'd like to think a lot of his teammates knew and supported him through it and kept it secret from the media. Now that would be progression.

You'd like to think so. If so that commands incredible respect for such courage. If not, then it speaks volumes. We need more Robbie Rodgers and Thomas Hitzlspergers, but we need them to come out during their career. A huge ask, granted, and so many potential foot-falls, but all it takes is one, IMO, and then we'll see something of a domino effect. I think we can all agree this is a huge step forward, we just need people to match this positive forwards stride.

Who cares.

Before anyone attacks manpe, I think he's saying he doesn't care whether a player is gay or not, which is the absolute right attitude to have. It doesn't and shouldn't make a difference.

I get what you're saying but if I was part of a sport where, for ten years, a heterosexual man had the words 'we wont give a fuck when you're hanging from a tree, you judas cunt with HIV' sung to him on a weekly basis based on rumour, I wouldnt come out either. For those who don't remember this, I'm referring to Sol Campbell.

97/98% of British fans wouldn't have a problem with a gay footballer in this country. Its the odd idiot that makes it terrifying. Look at the coverage Tom Daley has had. Not to belittle him or his sport, but an olympic diver is no where near the same 'league' as a Premier League and international footballer.

It does need to happen, and I pray it does soon. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

But most importantly today, congratulations Thomas. You're a brave man and I'm proud of you.

Totally agree mate, but footballers sign up for "banter" when they enter the sport. I'm not belittling your point, I'm just saying that almost every footballer cops an earful from the brainless minority at football grounds. It's about time someone shows they don't give a fuck, but again I appreciate how difficult that must be. It really saddens and frustrates me that some people have such attitudes, but then again, even 40 years ago people discriminated against blacks, and sexism still exists today, so perhaps I'm expecting too much for people just to accept homosexuality, but I'll definitely do my part and tell me kids there's nothing wrong in being who you are. But like I say, we're a long way away from that goal.

[Stingray 9,441]

Brave lad! About time the sexual dark ages in sports come to an end - the road is still immensely long, as it is in society tbh.... <br /><br />

[Jase 43,479]

IMO, so don't care.

You may feel so but there was no need to even say he's shit to begin with.

Fuck off.

Shut up, idiot.

Again, no need for that lads.

[DavidEU 2,023]

You'd like to think so. If so that commands incredible respect for such courage. If not, then it speaks volumes. We need more Robbie Rodgers and Thomas Hitzlspergers, but we need them to come out during their career. A huge ask, granted, and so many potential foot-falls, but all it takes is one, IMO, and then we'll see something of a domino effect. I think we can all agree this is a huge step forward, we just need people to match this positive forwards stride.

Totally agree mate, but footballers sign up for "banter" when they enter the sport. I'm not belittling your point, I'm just saying that almost every footballer cops an earful from the brainless minority at football grounds. It's about time someone shows they don't give a fuck, but again I appreciate how difficult that must be. It really saddens and frustrates me that some people have such attitudes, but then again, even 40 years ago people discriminated against blacks, and sexism still exists today, so perhaps I'm expecting too much for people just to accept homosexuality, but I'll definitely do my part and tell me kids there's nothing wrong in being who you are. But like I say, we're a long way away from that goal.

Thats the ideal, of course. But I think realistically its going to take small steps to ultimately reach the point where, maybe one day we have a real 'top class' current Premier League and international player out as gay. Whether that takes six months, six years or six decades is anyones guess. The ideal for the moment is obviously that all these non-outed players that are obviously out there currently feel happy in their lives and allowed to feel comfortable and safe within their own dressing room and their own club. As I've said before on this forum, I found it hard enough to come out to my small circle of friends, I couldn't imagine the stress that comes with doing it to a country and to a world-wide sport. And when you've got Danny Dyer fending off homophobes on twitter for a gay coming out storyline on EastEnders, it shows you just how far this country is from everyone treating everyone equally.

Your second point, I see what you're saying. But they shouldn't be 'signing up' for 60,000 fans each Saturday to give out 'banter'. All of it is unacceptable, all of it. As fans, we pay our £40 on a Saturday to see these players do what they do better than anyone else in the world, NOT to shout 'banter' in order for a cheap laugh. You wouldn't think about doing it down the street, so why do it in a packed football stadium?