Part of Outsports’ series on our 100 most important moments in gay sports history.
Soccer, 2011. We at Outsports haven’t heard a negative coming-out story in men’s sports in over 10 years. The retort to that is often, “Yes, but it’s different for the pros than high school and college.” Enter Anton Hysen, the European professional soccer player who came out earlier this year while still playing. No sport has witnessed more outspoken homophobia than soccer in recent years, so it’s not surprising that Hysen is only the second pro soccer player in the world to come out. Yet Hysen’s coming out has, by all accounts, been well-received.
People tell me I'm a celebrity now, and I shouldn't be. But as long as it helps [others by speaking openly], I'll do everything I can. If there's anyone afraid of coming out they should give me a call.
Part of Outsports’ series on our 100 most important moments in gay sports history.
Soccer, 2011. We at Outsports haven’t heard a negative coming-out story in men’s sports in over 10 years. The retort to that is often, “Yes, but it’s different for the pros than high school and college.” Enter Anton Hysen, the European professional soccer player who came out earlier this year while still playing. No sport has witnessed more outspoken homophobia than soccer in recent years, so it’s not surprising that Hysen is only the second pro soccer player in the world to come out. Yet Hysen’s coming out has, by all accounts, been well-received.
People tell me I'm a celebrity now, and I shouldn't be. But as long as it helps [others by speaking openly], I'll do everything I can. If there's anyone afraid of coming out they should give me a call.
While other athletes have taken to the short-format of Twitter to interact with fans, Hysen has a blog that he updates regularly including a look at his new underwear and his new diet.
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