So He's Gay? Big Deal

I REALLY want to know what everyone is making such a big fuss about. So a footballer has come out as being gay...and? We are in the 21st Century here, not back in medieval times when you would be burnt at the stake.

OK, yes, it is a tough thing for anyone to openly admit that they are gay, but for a professional sportsperson who is constantly in the public spot light being scrutinised for every move they make takes a lot of courage.

Just look at Justin Fashanu.

Although it ended in tragic circumstances for Fashanu, it does not mean it will be the same for Anton Hysen, who came out on Thursday.

"I really don't care," said the 20-year-old. "If you respect me for the person who I am and how good I am at my sport, you shouldn't care."

Truer words never spoken.

Why should we care? In a society where everyone is striving to be accepted, why should professional sportsmen and women be afraid of coming out and admitting to who they are?

A survey by Staffordshire University showed that 90% of fans would not care if a footballer openly admitted that he were gay. I wonder how many of those fans would still join in with homophobic chants if said player was up against their team.

"They can say what they want," continued the Swede, son of former Liverpool defender Glenn, "I am who I am, I don't really care. Maybe I should just go dance with them - I don't know."

The important thing for a gay professional is to have the support of their teammates, not to be shunned or cast aside because they are different. Just look at the support that cricketer Steven Davies had when he announced his homosexuality on February 27. He received the full backing of the England team, and that is what professionals need if they are going to take that final step and announce who they really are.

Why should a sportsperson be afraid or ashamed to come out for fear of being slandered and ridiculed? Just because some fat mess eating a pie on the terraces is going to hurl homophobic abuse at them. Fans who cannot accept homosexuality in sport need to take a good look at their sad, pathetic lives and realise that this is the way people choose to live their lives. They do not want to be forced into hiding because of another person's insecurity.

"I've had players over the years who were single and read books and so others [other players] said they must be gay," said former Crystal Palace manager Alan Smith. "I think being openly gay would be something very difficult to live with in football. You can get drunk and beat up your wife and that's quite acceptable, but if someone were to say 'I'm gay', it's considered awful. It's ridiculous."

Smith makes an excellent point. Why should it be considered awful when there are far more worse things going on in the game. Players cheating on their wives with hookers, international footballers shooting people on work experience with an air rifle.

It is about time the world of football - and any other sport for that matter - embraced the fact that homosexuality is a way of life.