England women’s football team captain comes out as gay
By Josh Haggis
England women’s football team captain Casey Stoney has revealed she is gay.
The English team captain is the latest sportsperson to come out following Olympic diver Tom Daley, who spoke about his sexuality in December.
She told BBC Sport: “I feel it’s really important for me to speak out as a gay player because there are so many young people struggling with being gay.
“You hear about people taking their own lives because they’re homosexual, now that should never happen. They should never feel those pressures.
“How can I expect other people to come out and speak about themselves if I’m not willing to do that myself?
“Now is the time because I’m in a loving relationship where I feel strong, I feel safe and I don’t care what other people think any more.”
The 31-year-old football star also said that she wouldn’t be comfortable travelling to Russia for the World Cup in 2018 if the ‘gay propaganda’ law is still in full-force.
“I won’t be going to Russia or Qatar to watch a World Cup because I wouldn’t be accepted there. I think it’s incredible that these countries get World Cups and Olympics when they don’t accept everybody to go there and be part of it.
“There will be athletes competing out there who are gay. I can’t imagine how frightened they must feel going out there and competing,” she added.