England Euro 2022 hero Beth Mead says being gay ‘is more the norm’ in women’s football – Daily Mail
England’s Euro 2022 hero Beth Mead has spoken openly about her sexuality after previously revealing that she was in a relationship with Dutch Arsenal team-mate Vivianne Miedema.
The 27-year-old who helped fire England to a first major tournament in 56 years over the summer, has claimed that being gay is ‘more the norm’ in women’s football.
In an interview with Sky Sports, she acknowledges that it’s harder for men to come out as there’s a ‘difference in culture’.
Blackpool‘s Jake Daniels became the UK’s first active male professional player to publicly come out as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990, which he revealed back in May.
Mead, who ended Euro 2022 as both the Player of the Tournament and also the Golden Boot winner, hopes by speaking out she can ‘bridge the gap’ and help the men just as much the women.
The Arsenal star said she struggled with her sexuality for a long time, but is now confident to open up about the subject.
She even joked in an interview with the Times last month, that her and Miedema were the new Posh and Becks ‘of the lesbian world’ in reference to England legend David Beckham and his wife Victoria.
Beth Mead (right) has opened up on her sexuality in an interview with Sky Sports after previously revealing she’s in a relationship with Arsenal team-mate Vivianne Miedema
England’s Euro 2022 hero hopes that by speaking out about her sexuality can help set an example in which the men’s game can follow suite and bridge the gap
Mead previously joked that she and Miedema (right) were the Posh and Becks ‘of the lesbian world’
In her interview with Sky Sports, she that she wants to make coming out ‘normal’ rather than having to make it a statement.
She said: ‘Actually, I’ve never physically come out and said I’m gay, I’m with a girl because I’ve not had to. I’m just being me. I’ve put pictures with my partner on social media. To me, I’ve tried to make it the normal rather than make it a statement.
‘Obviously for the men right now, they have to put it out in the media to then see what reaction they get and I get the culture in the men’s game is still very different and it is much, much harder. But for me, I want to bridge that gap and help the men as much as the women.
‘It’s a tough process. It is emotionally and physically draining, and I get all aspects for people, but for me, you can’t help who you fall in love with and if you are happy at the end of the day.’
Blackpool’s Jake Daniels became the UK’s first active male professional to come out as gay since Justin Fashanu back in 1990 when he revealed the news earlier this year
She also revealed that she ‘struggled’ for a long time and that it was hard to come out to her parents, with not many openly gay or bi-sexual people where she grew up.
Mead spoke about her ‘Posh and Becks’ relationship with Miedema in an interview with the Times last month.
She said: ‘At the end of the day, you play football, you’re professional and you keep work separate. Don’t get me wrong. You’ll take things home and have a little argument every now and then. Who doesn’t? But we’re good at keeping things separate.’
Mead (right) revealed that she and Miedema both found out the were nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or award when they were away on holiday together
Mead says she and her Arsenal team-mate are able to keep work separate from their private lives and that they ‘keep each other grounded’
Both Mead and Miedema have been nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or award, while the latter was named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year last year.
Mead said: ‘We found out when we were on holiday. I was buzzing. I was like, “Wow, I’m nominated for the Ballon d’Or.” She said, “Yeah, it’s my fifth time. I’m really proud of you though”. I was like, “Jesus”.
‘She’s still so young. She’s 26, but she’s experienced in these awards and stuff. She’d say something like, “I don’t really want this trophy in my house.” I’d reply with, “You sound ungrateful.” She’s not, she is a very humble person. But she can sound so arrogant sometimes.
‘But we’ll keep each other grounded, I’m sure.’
Mead and Miedema have been team-mates at Arsenal since May 2017, when the Dutch forward signed from Bayern Munich – four months after the England hero moved from Sunderland.
The pair are gearing up for the start of the new Women’s Super League season which kicks off on Friday when the Gunners take on Brighton.