Ten years after his own coming out, former national soccer player Thomas Hitzlsperger encouraged other soccer professionals to admit their homosexuality. To date, no other Bundesliga professional has been able to bring himself to come out, although many clubs now have gay and lesbian fan clubs and social consciousness has changed, Hitzlsperger told the newspaper South German newspaper. “It’s really up to the players now to realize: the time is ripe.”
The 41-year-old said that his decision wasn’t easy for him at the time – especially since he was confronted with homophobic comments in the locker room during his playing days, including from teammates. But then he pulled through and reported about his homosexuality for the first time in an interview with ZEIT. “Above all, I thought: If I don’t say it, no one will say it,” said the former national player. “I wanted to start a discussion about homophobia in football and give others help by telling about my life.”
“My biggest concern was the crew cabin,” said Hitzlsperger. “I remember two discussions where some crass things were said: ‘I wouldn’t shower with a gay teammate.’ Or a comment to our physiotherapist: ‘If you were gay, I wouldn’t let you touch me.'”
Especially at the home European Championships in Germany, Hitzlsperger is hoping for fans who, in addition to enjoying football, also find issues such as human rights, diversity and sustainability important. “Some people in charge from the older generation may be annoyed by this discussion, but younger people are coming along too,” he said.
Ten years after his own coming out, former national soccer player Thomas Hitzlsperger encouraged other soccer professionals to admit their homosexuality. To date, no other Bundesliga professional has been able to bring himself to come out, although many clubs now have gay and lesbian fan clubs and social consciousness has changed, Hitzlsperger told the newspaper South German newspaper. “It’s really up to the players now to realize: the time is ripe.”
The 41-year-old said that his decision wasn’t easy for him at the time – especially since he was confronted with homophobic comments in the locker room during his playing days, including from teammates. But then he pulled through and reported about his homosexuality for the first time in an interview with ZEIT. “Above all, I thought: If I don’t say it, no one will say it,” said the former national player. “I wanted to start a discussion about homophobia in football and give others help by telling about my life.”
