When it comes to coming out, everyone’s on a different path!
In September 2022, Zander Murray became the first Scottish player in professional soccer to come out as gay. Now, a year later, the athlete is looking back on his first year since coming out.
“I’m learning how to be gay at 31,” Murray told The Scottish Sun. “I had no gay education growing up or in school. I’m still getting there with it. It’s been so difficult for such a long period. I have been to such dark, dark places.”
He added, “The lads – my teammates and the opposition – they’re brilliant. If I get any banter from them, it’s only about my fake tan. They’ll take the p*ss and tell me, ‘You’re never off the telly.’ It sounds cheesy but it’s true. I’m in such a good place.”
According to the publication, Murray’s jersey “hangs in the Scottish Football Museum next to those of heroes like Alan Hansen and Jimmy Johnstone.” In many ways, the 31-year-old soccer player has already made Scottish history, and continues to be an inspiration for athletes around the world.
“I knew I was gay since the age of 12 and there was nobody like me playing football” he explained. “[Now] I’m going into schools and companies doing talks about discrimination. It’s really rewarding. They aren’t growing up learning all the things they used to call us and it’s so much easier to talk to them. They’re much more open and accepting and compassionate.”
As Murray continues to play soccer and does advocacy work for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, he is getting to meet many other players who were living in the closet but are now choosing to come out and be their most authentic selves. “It means the world to me,” he described the experience.
We definitely need more people like Zander Murray in the world, and we’ll keep rooting for him on and off the field!
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