by H J Perry
"Carlos, did you want to say anything about why you wanted to do this interview?"
"People who don't know us may assume we're all the same, three gay footballers. But we had very different histories before we settled down with our partners. Unlike the other two, I'm bisexual. I didn't have to hide being gay because people knew my ex-girlfriends and just made assumptions based on what they knew about my past. Maybe that's why I never wanted to hide my relationship with Harry; it's not something I was used to doing. And I'm glad we don't have to do that anymore."
"Cut." Everyone froze momentarily and then looked towards the director.
"That was great. I just want to have a quick break, and then we'll re-film the opening to this piece and a conclusion." The director walked over to the interviewer to continue a more private conversation. What he had to say was still heard by all present. "I want the introduction to specifically mention the World Cup in Qatar this year is held in a country where homosexuality is a crime and gay Muslims like myself face the death penalty."
"Yes. I wondered about saying that at some point."
"It's important and get's attention. Put it first. Then we'll film the conclusion. You're winding up bringing the interview back to this point. Ask the guests about it because they along with many other football players and supporters are considered criminals in that country. These players are retired, but what would it be like for gay players who are out there about to play the biggest games of their career in that environment."
In the garden, they could hear the sound of the children playing next door. They were assured the microphones would not pick up and transmit that external noise. Nevertheless, it sounded like Scott and the children were having more fun than sitting stiffly smiling in front of a camera crew.
Thankfully interviews like this came along infrequently, but all three men recognized that as celebrities and role models, they were in a fortunate position to inform, influence and help others.
***
You can read Scott and Jason's story in Home Goal by H J Perry. myBook.to/HomeGoal
Join H J Perry's mailing list, CLICK HERE! For a free newsletter including details of forthcoming books, which are released at discounted price.
Dear Reader,
You wanted them to come out, didn't you? I did too. I love reading stories like that. I wanted them to come out and to discover the reaction of the teammates and have them gain public support.
In My Goal the characters didn't come out because I deliberately set the story in the very real context of football. So for my characters to come out would have been such a huge departure from reality.
I'm sure if any footballer came out in Britain today, they would have terrific support from the public, football fans and other players and professionals working within football.
But the negative impact of the homophobic minority is still too great. And homophobia and ignorance are enough to deter many people from coming out.
In Europe, there is one gay professional football player, in Sweden. He does not play in the top league. Robbie Rogers played football in the UK in 2012. He came out after retiring from the sport in 2013. He resumed his soccer career a few months later in the USA. He remains one of only two out gay footballers in the world. That is out of half a million professional players.
2/500,000!
England is one of the best places in the world to be LGBT for legal rights and general acceptance. Not for sportsmen though, it seems. There has been a huge question about homophobia hanging over football in the UK, Europe, and the world. Among other things, earlier this year questions were asked in the UK Parliament about why gay men playing professional football are unable to come out. There is no doubt that they exist. It is being raised as a problem at high levels across Europe.
You may be interested in knowing more about the real context of the story. In December 2010 it was announced that the 2022 World Cup would take place in Qatar. A controversial announcement for so many reasons, not least of all is that the country has the death penalty for homosexuality.
I can't find the words to express my contempt for this decision adequately. Let's imagine the message that decision sent to young football fans and players around the time that it was made.
Over recent years we have seen football clubs and bodies taking effective action to combat homophobia in the UK. This is excellent. It is about two decades behind other organizations, but better late than never.
I'm not surprised gay players in the top tiers of the sport haven't publically come out. Even today. It could threaten their careers. In the UK, we are moving toward an environment that is supportive of gay players, but it is an international sport.
At the top level, players travel around the world so an openly gay player would have to consider not just how he is accepted at home in the UK but when he travels abroad.
In Spain, a gay referee has been subjected to extreme homophobic abuse through 2016. Twenty-four-hour security currently protects him because of numerous threats. Death threats because he's gay. In Spain. Spain! One of the first countries to legislate for equal marriage.
If you haven't already read Scott and Jason's story in Home Goal, I will tell you that as characters, they are very different than Harry and Carlos. Their story and issues are quite different; again it is set against the backdrop of events in the real world.
I am not planning to write any more footballer stories (soon) but may well return to it in the future.
Please consider leaving a review for this book. Review help authors and other readers.
And feel free to contact me directly about the issues in this book or anything to do with LGBT fiction by email or via facebook.
Best wishes
Helen x
Subscribe to H J Perry's newsletter (details below) to get advance warning of future publications, the opportunity to buy at at discounted prices and sneak previews.
Or even a free review copy.
Share Your Thoughts
Thank you for reading My Goal
by H J Perry.
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon or on Goodreads.
Your support means the world to our authors!
More from LoveLight Press
LoveLight Press is a small independent publisher specialising in LGBT Romance. Why not visit our website or join our mailing list to see our latest titles?
Visit Amazon's author page to find more from H J Perry here:
H J Perry at Amazon
Join H J Perry's mailing list, CLICK HERE! For a free newsletter including details of forthcoming books, which are released at discounted price.
Contact H J Perry if you would like free advanced review copies of future books.
H J Perry's website
follow on social media:
H J Perry on facebook
Twitter: @HelenJPerry
