By Simone Pound, Director of EDI, PFA
February marks LGBT+ History Month, a time to reflect on the progress we’ve made in football and the work still ahead. The landscape today is different from what it was even a decade ago - football has become a more inclusive space, with clubs, leagues, and governing bodies all embracing initiatives to support LGBT+ players and fans.
But for all this progress, the reality remains that we have just one openly gay male professional footballer in England: Jake Daniels. That tells us something important - football may be ready, but players still need to feel safe.
Jake’s Story: Support, Not Spotlight
When Jake Daniels took the courageous step to come out publicly in 2022, it wasn’t a decision made in isolation. The journey started with a PFA-led workshop at Blackpool, where Jake first reached out to us for support. From that moment, the PFA worked closely with him and his club to ensure he had everything he needed - not just in managing the announcement but in feeling secure and supported every step of the way.
That process is crucial. Coming out as a gay footballer isn’t just about one conversation with teammates or a single moment in front of the cameras. It’s about knowing you have a support network in place - from your club, your union, your teammates, and the wider game.
Progress and Support Across the Game
The response to Jake’s announcement was overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating that football is moving in the right direction. The vast majority of players would support a gay teammate, and we’ve seen that reflected in survey data, in player feedback, and in the wider football community’s reaction.
However, football remains a hyper-competitive and high-pressure environment where scrutiny is constant. While support exists, some players may still feel it’s safer to keep that part of themselves private. Collectively, we need to keep working to change that.
The PFA’s Commitment
The PFA has spent years advocating for LGBT+ inclusion, but actions matter more than words. Our role is to ensure that any player who chooses to come out will be fully supported - before, during, and after that decision. We continue to provide:
- Confidential one-on-one support for players questioning whether to come out.
- Education and awareness training across clubs to foster inclusive environments.
- Direct support for clubs and media teams to manage announcements in a way that respects the player’s needs.
- Access to an established network of former players, including Thomas Hitzlsperger and Thomas Beattie, as well as athletes from other sports with experience of coming out, offering peer support and guidance.
Jake Daniels has shown that football is ready to embrace openly gay players. But no one should feel pressured to be the next one. What matters most is that players know they have the choice - and that when they’re ready, the PFA is here to stand with them.
This LGBT+ History Month, our message is clear: football belongs to everyone, and everyone belongs in football.
