Blackpool’s Jake Daniels ‘coming out’ as gay changes football for the better – Lancashire Telegraph
This Pride Month, a sports panel discussed Blackpool FC’s player Jake Daniels’ coming out story and what this means for football across the country.
Daniels decision to reveal his sexuality in May received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the public.
Football v Homophobia hosted the ‘Behind the Headline’ event with Sports Media LGBT+ founder Jon Holmes and Football Writers’ Association chair Carrie Brown.
Jake Daniels said he had been inspired by other sportsmen who have come out (Sky Sports News/PA handout)
Sky Sports journalist Tim Thornton worked with Daniels and his mum on the story for months. Tim said:
“I think Jake’s story shows that Blackpool have created an environment where he felt comfortable enough to come out.
“We expected this would make the front page of the papers, so we me made sure Jake was ready and the reaction has been fantastic.”
Thornton shared that he felt a big responsibility to his older brother who is gay because ‘had a tough time growing up’ and didn’t want anyone else to experience the same issues his brother had.
A message from Jake Daniels. https://t.co/R2wEsniXKV pic.twitter.com/dcznYKtSaD
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) May 16, 2022
In coming out publicly as gay, Jake provides representation in British men’s professional football for the first time in decades.
In a statement, Daniels said he is hoping he “can be a role model, to help others come out if they want to.”
Jay Lemonius, Head of ED&I at Brentford FC and captain of Stonewall FC also joined the panel to discuss how grassroots football can become more inclusive.
With the history football has around the area of LGBTQ+ inclusion, the lack of experience can ‘breed a lack of confidence.’
Lemonius said: “Giving people the tools to understand and identify the skills that they already have will provide that support that these players need. Jake’s story is a testament to that.
“Success of LGBTQ+ inclusion doesn’t have to look like how many players are openly gay in the Premier League or the Championship.
“I have no doubt that clubs up and down the country are having conversations today that they probably weren’t having three, four, five years ago let alone a week before Jake had come out.”
Screenshot taken from live panel event on Monday June, 13
Visibility and representation in football can have a real impact for LGBTQ+ people who want to get into football but haven’t because ‘they don’t feel like there’s a space for them.’
Since Daniels’ story, two Scottish referees, Craig Napier and Lloyd Wilson have publicly come out as gay.
Sport Engagement and Progammes Manager at Stonewall, Erin Williams led the charity’s behind-the-scenes support for the player and his club.
She said: “I really felt the trust and work that Blackpool had been putting into the preparation of this story.
“He was infectious and smiling and had this extraordinarily different response to what I had when I came out because he had the proper support systems around him.”
Thornton continued: “Jake has come out and shown that it’s a positive thing and everybody’s supporting you.
“Hopefully, that’s across the board at all different clubs where players feel comfortable enough just to be themselves.
“We’re all ready for change in football because it’s long overdue.”