Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Extended-Phenotype » 10 Feb 2014 16:50

Tories in uproar over Reading's stance.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by NewCorkSeth » 10 Feb 2014 17:09

No Fixed Abode
NewCorkSeth Reading FC "We are coming out against homophobia in football once and for all"
Fans "Is there a problem with homophobia in the club?"
Reading FC "Erm, no but we don't like it so we are against it"
Fans "Oh, that's good what are you doing to combat homophobia in football"
Reading FC "We put up a plaque"



At least they're raising awareness on the subject

Ah yes, what is known to cynics as the minimum requirement to be involved in a cause.I am acquainted with a girl in Cork who spends much of her time campaigning for people to follow her in boycotting the Winter Olympics. I asked he if she usually watches the Winter Olympics and she said no. I didn't press the matter but boycotting doesn't work if you were never going to participate in the event in any way shape of form.
Similarly coming out and saying "we are against homophobia" is not of much use when you are (as far as we know) taking zero practical approaches to combat the issue directly. Raising awareness is what all the people who liked and shared the Kony 2012 video did, and look what all that awareness did.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Royal Biscuitman » 10 Feb 2014 17:10

Green Are we to assume by your rather flippant attitude you don't think there's a problem in the game Forbes :?:

No more than in society itself, Until I read this thread I assumed the fear was that the fans would chant homophobic abuse, not the attitudes of other players/staff at clubs... or maybe they are worried about clubs not wanting to sign them or advertisers dropping them?

Maybe it needs some non-players or more ex-players to come out first and help lead the way since it won't affect their career and they won't be on the pitch to get abuse.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Green » 10 Feb 2014 17:12

Good post.

You could even argue it does more harm than good - they've implicitly acknowledged there's a problem in the sport (if not at the club), yet seem to be doing nothing about it beyond a meaningless PR statement and plaque.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Royal Biscuitman » 10 Feb 2014 17:15

Maybe as fans we could be proactive - Is there a petition we could sign to say we're against homophobia and racism?


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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Green » 10 Feb 2014 17:19

Another empty gesture?

Sure - where do I sign?

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by NewCorkSeth » 10 Feb 2014 17:27

S**h D****a S*******r

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by SCIAG » 10 Feb 2014 17:58

Royal Lady Not sure why the need for the club to large it up about this then? How do we know whether they are saying anything to each other re homophobia in the dressing room/training pitch/during a game? And to be honest, if RFC are saying their own players say homophobic stuff to each other, they should be ashamed of themselves!

I thought they meant RFC were going to stamp out homophobic comments from fans and, as I said earlier, I've only ever heard the chants towards Brighton fans.

It relates to this campaign, the equivalent of Kick It Out: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 11410.html

At the time the print edition was published, Derby were the only Championship club to have signed. Huddersfield and Millwall have since done so.

It looked pretty shit for us to have effectively not bothered to say we are against homophobia.

And as for fans v players, the footballers who are "out" have, to a man, said they were more worried about the reaction from opposing fans.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Royal Ginger » 10 Feb 2014 18:14

Green Good post.

You could even argue it does more harm than good - they've implicitly acknowledged there's a problem in the sport (if not at the club), yet seem to be doing nothing about it beyond a meaningless PR statement and plaque.


I understand the point about it currently being a PR platitude, however It's only been 2 and a half days, so perhaps there'll be some follow up in time.

The other argument is that it's the beginning of a discussion that doesn't really seem to be being had in the sport. More of a starting point and a "Just so you know, this is really not alright with us".


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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Royal Ginger » 10 Feb 2014 18:17

SCIAG
Royal Lady Not sure why the need for the club to large it up about this then? How do we know whether they are saying anything to each other re homophobia in the dressing room/training pitch/during a game? And to be honest, if RFC are saying their own players say homophobic stuff to each other, they should be ashamed of themselves!

I thought they meant RFC were going to stamp out homophobic comments from fans and, as I said earlier, I've only ever heard the chants towards Brighton fans.

It relates to this campaign, the equivalent of Kick It Out: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 11410.html

At the time the print edition was published, Derby were the only Championship club to have signed. Huddersfield and Millwall have since done so.

It looked pretty shit for us to have effectively not bothered to say we are against homophobia.

And as for fans v players, the footballers who are "out" have, to a man, said they were more worried about the reaction from opposing fans.


Robbie Rogers even claimed to have retired because of this.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by P!ssed Off » 10 Feb 2014 18:22

I would imagine the media play a significant role.
If a top footballer came out as gay they would be followed about incessantly by the media. Even more so than usual.
Look at Tom Daley, since he came out he hasn't had much abuse as such from the public, but every time he's goes out with his partner pictures are splashed across mailonline and other such tabloids.

If a lesser known footballer came out as gay then they would be followed around incessantly by the paps and tabloids because they would be the 'only out current footballer'.

So until a top current player comes out, why would a lower level footballer? The vast majority of gay professional footballers across League 2, League 1 and the Championship and even some in the Premiership would probably be able to go about their life now without much hassle.

For a player not already in the public eye, why would they come out and receive such hassle from the press. When in reality 'hiding' their sexuality from the press and fans is probably not that much effort or bother.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by P!ssed Off » 10 Feb 2014 18:34

Royal Ginger
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Royal Lady Not sure why the need for the club to large it up about this then? How do we know whether they are saying anything to each other re homophobia in the dressing room/training pitch/during a game? And to be honest, if RFC are saying their own players say homophobic stuff to each other, they should be ashamed of themselves!

I thought they meant RFC were going to stamp out homophobic comments from fans and, as I said earlier, I've only ever heard the chants towards Brighton fans.

It relates to this campaign, the equivalent of Kick It Out: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 11410.html

At the time the print edition was published, Derby were the only Championship club to have signed. Huddersfield and Millwall have since done so.

It looked pretty shit for us to have effectively not bothered to say we are against homophobia.

And as for fans v players, the footballers who are "out" have, to a man, said they were more worried about the reaction from opposing fans.


Robbie Rogers even claimed to have retired because of this.


Yeah, but so many people stay in the closet because they're worried about other people's reactions.
You wouldn't say "so and so's family must be homophobic, because so and so was worried about coming out to his family".

tbh if Robbie Rogers had just gone about his life in the way that he wanted then sure, word might have spread amongst the fans of the team he played for, that someone had seen him out locally in town with a man or whatever.

But why would anyone else care: "Did you hear that footballer Robbie Rogers is rumoured to be gay?" "Who?"

It's the national media that would put you in the spotlight, and let all the opposition fans know who you are and your sexuality. But they'd only do that to a non-famous footballer if said footballer were to give an interview to the national press saying "I'm gay".

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Pseud O'Nym » 12 Feb 2014 12:56

NewCorkSeth I am acquainted with a girl


No need to try and hide your sexuality from us m8, we're all on your side.


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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Royal Biscuitman » 12 Feb 2014 13:04

Green Good post.

You could even argue it does more harm than good - they've implicitly acknowledged there's a problem in the sport (if not at the club), yet seem to be doing nothing about it beyond a meaningless PR statement and plaque.

Maybe one of the players will refuse to wear a t shirt out of protest about the lack of action.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by NewCorkSeth » 12 Feb 2014 17:31

Royal Biscuitman
Green Good post.

You could even argue it does more harm than good - they've implicitly acknowledged there's a problem in the sport (if not at the club), yet seem to be doing nothing about it beyond a meaningless PR statement and plaque.

Maybe one of the players will refuse to wear a t shirt out of protest about the lack of action.

Preferably Gunter. Or Gorkss for Leon.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by FridaysGhost » 12 Feb 2014 20:12

Fact:- A homosexual male with extreme sporting skills MAY not excel at his chosen profession as much as a heterosexual male with the same skills might.

Fact:- A Lesbian with extreme sporting skills WILL beat a heterosexual female with the same skills every time (except for the occasional freak of nature).

In terms of Football, Rugby, Tennis etc. a women's team should consist of heterosexual women (if sufficient bodies are available). This is a fair playing-field. Particularly in Tennis, there should be a Lesbian circuit and Lesbians should not compete against Ladies. This would be a fair playing field. It would also have put a lot of the most recent female
Grand-slam winners back into the obscurity that they deserve. Effectively they have cheated the 'Ladies' circuit to gain sporting immortality And vast sums of cash when they did'nt deserve it.

For Old people like me, the definition of a Lady does not include 'wearing a gumshield and playing Rugby' Perhaps I'm luckier than some of you younger ones!

p.s. England Ladies Football Captain a Lesbian Shock - NO!

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Extended-Phenotype » 12 Feb 2014 20:21

I want to unrape my eyes.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by NewCorkSeth » 12 Feb 2014 20:22

Dont. Even. Know.

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by Agent Balti » 12 Feb 2014 20:25

I think even Floyd would be lost for words on that one. :|

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Re: Reading F.C. against homophobia apparently.

by FridaysGhost » 12 Feb 2014 20:27

Agent Balti I think even Floyd would be lost for words on that one. :|


Reality can ge you that way!

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