Homophobia is defined as an irrational fear or intolerance of homosexuality, or behaviour that is perceived to uphold and support traditional gender role expectations.
In sport, homophobia is expressed in ways ranging from telling jokes directed against homosexual activity, through harassment to physical violence against homosexual sportspeople.
There are several other organisations and campaign groups working tirelessly to ensure that homophobia does not remain a malignant presence within football, and sport in general.
Stonewall has been leading the way in the field of gay rights for over twenty years, since its inception in 1989, and is renowned for its lobbying and campaigning on crucial issues, including the age of consent and the ban on lesbians and gays in the military.
Report
In 2009, the charity published a report calling for football to take more decisive action on homophobic abuse in the sport, which can be read in full by clicking here.
In 1998, Justin Fashanu, still the only English professional footballer to come out as being gay, committed suicide. Ten years later, the Justin Campaign was formed to raise awareness of Justin’s life and the continuing issue of homophobia in football.
The Gay Football Supporters' Network, which was formed in 1989, aims to promote the support and participation of gay men and women in football, and act as a medium for LGBT football supporters to get together.
In the past, certain players have been singled out by opposing fans as targets of homophobic abuse. One such player, Graeme Le Saux, spoke about the impact the abuse had on his playing career in his autobiography.
“Because I had different interests, because I didn’t feel comfortable in the laddish drinking culture that was prevalent in English football in the late 1980s, it was generally assumed by my teammates that there was something wrong with me. It followed, naturally, that I must be gay.
'Football's last taboo'
"For 14 years I had to listen to that suggestion repeated in vivid and forthright terms from thousands of voices in the stands. It was a lie. I am not gay and never have been, yet I became a victim of English football’s last taboo.
"The homophobic taunting and bullying left me close to walking away from football. I went through times that were like depression. I did not know where I was going.
"I would get up in the morning and would not feel good and by the time I got into training I would be so nervous that I felt sick. I dreaded going in. I was like a bullied kid on his way to school to face his tormentors.”
Experiences such as Le Saux’s are another crucial reason why the issue of homophobia can no longer be allowed to go unaddressed.
Further reading
> Former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas reveals he is gay
> Irish hurling star comes out as gay
> Amaechi lone sportsman on 'Pink List'
> Peter Tatchell on homophobic abuse of Sol Campbell
