German footballers want to reveal their sexuality to combat homophobia

A group of male soccer professionals from Germany plan to soon reveal their sexual orientation together to combat homophobia in sports. According to information from the Preußische Allgemeine Zeitung, the athletes, who were spread over several national teams, chose May 17th to make the announcement. The date is significant because it marks the International Day Against Homophobia.

This step is considered a milestone because there are currently no openly gay professional players in the German football leagues. The initiative is receiving support within the clubs, although there are still concerns among some athletes who are considering the possibility of withdrawing from the decision by the planned date.

Former player Marcus Urban, who revealed his homosexuality after retiring and is now co-founder of Diversero, a global community for diversity, is aware of the group’s plans. Urban emphasizes the importance of the chosen date, noting that it can serve as a meeting point for athletes to unite around this cause. “Why wait for the world of football to become what we want it to be? “There’s an interesting dynamic at play,” Urban reflects on the potential impact of this collective action.

In 2014, Thomas Hitzlsperger, a former German international and West Ham United player, became the first German footballer to come out as gay, although only after his retirement. Hitzlsperger revealed that he was advised to keep his sexuality secret throughout his career, pointing out the pressure and stigma that still exists in the sport.

Additionally, there are plans to release a documentary titled “Hide and Seek,” which will follow the individual accounts of the players involved in this initiative. The documentary aims to shed light on the personal experiences and challenges of these athletes and provide a deeper insight into the topic of sexual diversity in football.

This collective planning to reveal the sexuality of German footballers could represent a significant step in the fight against discrimination and acceptance in sport and shows that there is still much to be done to change perceptions and promote inclusion.