I recently saw a report about the World Cup being held in Qatar and they’re banning pride flags a) because they’re a severely homophobic country and b) they said they can’t be responsible for what might happen to the people that will bring the flags. Horrified, it made me think, in 2022, why aren’t there any high profile premier league level gay male football players. I still believe the games fan base is deeply rooted in homophobia, sexism and as we saw at the last big tournament, unfiltered and abundant racism. The last player that came out publicly at a high profile level, was Justin Fashanu (who I’ve drawn above) in 1990. 32 years ago. He attempted to show people that highly skilled football players at the top of their game can be gay (one of the reasons he chose the Sun newspaper to publicly come out, to reach the large demographic that supported football) Unfortunately Fashanu faced a huge backlash of homophobia. And not only by white straight men, his teammates and coach, but the black community and even his own family. His intersectionality of being black but also gay, made him receive homophobia from every level. Sadly the backlash took its toll and he took his own life for the embarrassment and shame he had brought on everyone. I wish there was a player who could be brave enough like Justin to come out and help improve the level of hostility towards queer people in the game. This post is to celebrate and uplift the hero that Justin Fashanu is, and his absolute bravery coming out 32 years ago in an arena not ready for the strength and hope he possessed ✨ #justinfashanu #gayfootball #loveislove #gaypride #transpride #lgbtq #lgbtqi #gayart #gaylove #instagay #scruff #scruffgay #bearpride #instadaily #instart #instartist #teela #battlecat #princessofpower #queerart #gaystagram