Trailblazing footballer Zander Murray answers common criticisms of LGBTQ+ visibility while visiting UHI campus for Pride month
Scotland’s only out gay male footballer Zander Murray believes visibility can only be a good thing for the LGBTQ+ community.
Speaking on a visit to UHI and Elgin City Football Club last month, the 33-year-old answered some common comments that get posted in response to LGBTQ+ content.
Such coverage often disproportionately gets targeted by hateful comments, as well as those which question why it is necessary.
On the common questions of “why is this news”, Murray commented: “It’s news because there are people struggling and suffering.
“Some people are one word away from ending it all – I know that for an absolute fact, because I was one of them.
“If there’s anything in the news that can support people like that, I only see that as a positive.
“You might not be aware of LGBTQ+ rights, community and people, but we’re always going to be here at the end of the day.
“Initiatives can empower so many people and help so many lives.”
Murray has made something of a career out of advocating for LGBTQ+ people since coming out and making sporting history in Scotland.
He has been seen on talk shows like Lorraine sharing his story, and has fronted his own BBC documentary looking at the issue of homophobia in football.
In that sphere, LGBTQ+ advocates often get told to “stick to football”, to which Murray replies: “If I was a mainstream person, I would agree, but I’m not because I’m part of a minority.
“I never really understood the impact of coming out until people started reaching out to me. I have 61 letters at home and thousands of messages from people all walks of life, who are part of the community and struggling.
“That includes parents of kids who are struggling, older people, younger people - so if I can help that one person struggling, that one mean the world.
“That’s what people need to understand. There are people going through a very tough time in football, and the stats tell us that there are only a handful of people in football who are open about their sexuality out of 130,000 professionals.
“There should be about 9000 who are in the LGBTQ+ community, which tells you we’ve got an issue on our hands. Until that gets better, I think that point is irrelevant.”
Coming into Pride month, there will be more visibility for the LGBTQ+ community than at other times of the year.
If accused of shoving his identity down people’s throats, though, Murray finished: “You’re on social media doomscrolling – why has it even come up on your timeline? It’s probably because Twitter wants to create rage and hatred.
“Do you say that when there is a racism, ableism or sexism campaign? Probably not.
“We’re not shoving it down anyone’s throat, we just want places like football to be a safe space for people to go and watch.
“Unfortunately, in recent times, seven out of 10 fans still hear homophobic chants at stadiums in the UK, which tells me there is a hell of a lot to do for fans as well as players.
“We’re just trying to showcase that this should be a safe space, because it’s the number one sport in the world.”
