Written by June is officially Pride month, a perfect time to embrace individuality and inclusivity, tolerance in all avenues of our lives; our work, our social lives, our sporting pursuits. The perfect time to develop a culture that makes room for everyone.
Andy Brennan, who came out in May 2019 as Australia’s first openly gay footballer, has become an advocate for the LGBTQI community and paves the way for more athletes to feel at ease about themselves. Following his announcement, he revealed his fears: “I was scared it would affect my friendships, my teammates, and my family. But the support of the people around me has been so great and helped me get to the final step; being completely open. Being open is the best way for me to feel most comfortable and be myself”. Brennan tells of the constant struggle to hide his true self, about the burden that his secret had become and he wants to tell others that being honest about who you are is about lifting that burden and learning to live freely again.
Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) chief executive John Didulica has been complimentary of the encouraging attitude of the football community in Australia. They have provided Andy with a safe and inclusive environment to publicly share his story. He continues eloquently that; “We’re not doing our job well enough if participants have a perception that their sexuality prevents them excelling or from building the trusting friendships that are the cornerstone of sport.”
Brennan is preceded by a few other brave souls that have dared the labels and the stigma, American player for Minnesota United, Collin Martin, and former Germany and Aston Villa star Thomas Hitzlsperger who came out in 2014 are a couple of examples.
Brennan’s American counterpart NFL player Carl Nassib has just made his courageous announcement to the world via Instagram. Nassib plans to work with the Trevor Project which is an organization that works within the LGBTQI community providing crisis intervention and preventing suicide. The Trevor Project provides suicide prevention services and crisis intervention to the LGBTQ community. Trevor Project CEO and executive director Amit Paley has said that Nassib’s generosity will enable the expansion of life-saving crisis services to reach the more than 1.8 million LGBTQ youth who seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S.
“Coming out is an intensely personal decision, and it can be an incredibly scary and difficult one to make. We hope that Carl’s historic representation in the NFL will inspire young LGBTQ athletes across the country to live their truth and pursue their dreams.” – Amit Paley.
Being different in no way determines sporting ability or the absence or presence of any other talent or quality. Our choices, our lifestyles, our beliefs make us what we are, and our commitment to include and tolerate other people allows us the freedom to live in a colorful and cohesive world. This is the culture worthy of being curated and promoted.
The Sports Report: Clippers in familiar playoff territory – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
Former A-League player Andy Brennan reveals his homosexuality in historic first (foxsports.com.au)