Swedish Footballer Anton Hysen: I'm Gay

Given the still too wide spread homophobia that exists in the realm of professional sports, I salute the decision of Swedish football star, Anton Hysen (pictured), to come out of the closet during an interview with Sweden’s Offside magazine. Hysen is a star in his own right and also the son of of famed Swedish player Glenn Hysen, a former defender for Liverpool FC and Anton’s current coach at Utsiktens BK of the Swedish second division. I believe that by coming out - be one an attorney, police officer, military service member, or some other profession - is the best and quickest way to destroy the anti-gay stereotypes disseminated constantly by the hate merchants of the professional Christian set and similar bigots. With NOM poised to throw $1 million - wouldn't it be nice to know the source of that money? - into anti-gay propaganda in Maryland, the importance of having recognizable out gay role models cannot be stressed enough. Here are highlights from the Good Men Project:
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Hysen told Offside:
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I want to prove that there is no big deal if I’m a footballer and also gay. If I perform as a footballer, then I do not think it matters if I like men or women.
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He continued:
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There will always be people who can’t tolerate gay people, just like there are people who can’t tolerate immigrants. A club might be interested in me and then the coach might change his mind if he finds out I’m gay, but that is his problem not mine.
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There are no openly gay soccer players in any professional divisions across Europe. To this, Hysen added:
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“It’s totally sick when you think about it. It’s so f****d up, everything. Where the hell is everyone else?”
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Homophobia has long been a problem in European soccer. The last professional soccer player to come out while still playing was Justin Fashnaru, who came out in 1991 and tragically took his own life seven years later.
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Where is everyone else? Hiding in the closet - most likely on the advice of their agents and coaches. Living in the closet is so spiritually destructive. I hope Hysen has much success and dispels the lie that one cannot be out and successful in sports.