'132 Years and Counting': LGBTQ+ diversity in Scottish men's football
Last updated 20th Jul 2022
Clyde 1 Superscoreboard is going to broadcast a special programme discussing sexuality within men's football in Scotland.
Called 'SSB Pride: 132 Years and Counting', it will focus on the fact no men's players have openly come out as gay while playing in Scotland, in the 132 years since a professional league was established.
Last month, two category one referees in Scotland, Craig Napier and Lloyd Wilson came out, becoming the first active participants in Scottish football to do so since Justin Fashanu, who played for Airdrie and Hearts in 1993 and 1994, after announcing his sexuality.
READ MORE: Two category one Scottish referees come out as gay
Earlier this year, Blackpool forward Jake Daniels became the first active men's player in England to come out since then.
Speaking on the Superscoreboard panel, Marvin Bartley, Livingston assistant coach and Scottish FA Equality Advisor, said: "We saw with the two referees who came out, it was absolutely amazing.
"At this moment in time, we don't have any players who have come out and said 'I am in a same-sex partnership', and I'm sure there is a player out there now who is.
"If there is a player out there, I would love for them to come out and say 'this is me'."
Marvin says inspiration should be taken from the women's game in Scotland.
Referring to the number of openly lesbian female players and managers in Scotland, he said: "You can be open and honest about your sexuality, you can go on nights out and bring your partner onto the pitch at the end of the season, and nobody bats an eyelid."
You can listen to the programme at 6pm on Wednesday 20 July here.
READ MORE: Referee Craig Napier humbled by 'great support' after coming out as gay
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