Less than a week after it became national news that Swedish footballer Anton Hysen came out of the closet, the spoke more about his brave journey out of the closet and in the mainstream in the latest issue of UK's The Sun. Hysen is the second out footballer after Justin Fashanu did it back in1990. So far Hysen says everyone's response has been supportive.
"You have to teach some homophobic people how to think but I am happy I did it. Everyone asks me if I know any other gay footballers but I don't. I would encourage them to come out and support each other.
"It is sad no one has the guts to come out. I respect the fact we all deal with situations in a different way and I joke about the situation.
"When we are in the showers, I obviously say stuff like 'Don't drop the soap'.
"I really don't care. When I walk into the dressing room I say 'Watch out, he's here' - but I know they respect me. And I respect them.
"I have had just one letter from a fan who says he won't come and watch the team any more.
"He says I am nasty and stuff like that. I'm thinking 'We'll now just get one fan less a match - big deal'. One of my team-mates has offered to beat him up for me but I said 'Leave it'.
"Statistically, there has to be at least one gay footballer in England. Of course it is sad that people are not honest. At the beginning there were problems with skin colour - this is the same. It shouldn't matter. I've known for a while that I am gay. Probably since I was 17 or 18. I have had five girlfriends. The last one was pretty serious and, when I told her I was gay, she was pretty p***ed off, as you could imagine.
"When you consider dumping a supermodel, you know you are gay. She was beautiful, one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen but obviously, I had an issue.
"I did tell some of my team-mates a while back. No one really cared.
"I am not playing in the top league but I am still an active, professional footballer.
"I understand why footballers are afraid of telling the truth. Obviously the first worry is the reaction of the team-mates, that fans will make comments. Maybe they fear the family will say 'We don't want you'.
"Those reactions, particularly from your family, are a big thing. But you have to be strong."
Glad that Anton has developed the traditional gay trait of killing the tension by making fun of himself. I always say you have to live your life in truth and fuck those who don't support you. They will continue to live their lives while you sit all misreable drinking and drugging your sorrows away. I'd like to see more guys in sports come out overseas and in the States. Only time will tell when that will happen but just remember GOD loves you no matter what.
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