A politician has hailed the “courage” of the UK’s first openly gay footballer.
Paul O’Kane, based in Barrhead, has backed Blackpool forward Jake Daniels, who hit the headlines this week when he became the UK’s first active male professional footballer to admit his sexuality openly.
The sport has courted controversy in the past due to the lack of openly gay professionals in the men’s game,
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English Premier League footballer Justin Fashanu was the only other player to admit he was gay, when his playing career ended.
Fashanu, the first black player to command a £1 million transfer fee, later took his own life.
His family have claimed there is still a culture of “homophobia” in the game.
Now Paul, who came out as a teenager and has openly spoken about his fears ahead of being the first openly gay man to be elected to Holyrood for Scottish Labour, has added to the praise being heaped on the 17-year-old.
He has submitted a parliamentary motion, naming Daniels as an inspiration and calling on the Holyrood parliament to back the teenager’s move, as “a historic moment for LGBT+ representation in professional men’s football.”
The motion also notes that Daniels is the first player to come out since Justin Fashanu, who came out in 1990 before passing away eight years later.
Paul, who represents West Scotland at Holyrood, said: “Yesterday many people were taking part in events to recognise International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, a day all about trying to fight against hate, prejudice and intolerance and suddenly they see Jake Daniels making an act of courage for so many by breaking a barrier that has existed for too long in football for LGBT+ people.
“Given there hasn’t been an openly gay player in the UK since 1990, there was something that didn’t quite ring true about football being ‘everyone’s game’ but I don’t doubt that inspiring figures like Daniels will certainly change that.”
He added: “Footballers are people who so many look up to and that’s why it’s so important that Daniels can hopefully be the first of many footballers who young LGBT+ people can relate to and be inspired by.
“Daniels has taken a courageous step and now it would be great to see more follow so that one day we will no longer be surprised about who top sporting professionals love.”
Daniels has spoken of the support he has received from his club since he made the announcement but admitted the subject is still a “taboo” in the men’s game.
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