As Jake Daniels comes out as gay I feel proud of my uncle, Justin Fashanu, who paved the way | Amal Fashanu

It’s wonderful to see the outpouring of love and support for Daniels today. We’ve come a long way

• Amal Fashanu is a journalist, an activist against homophobia in sport and Justin Fashanu’s niece

Ten years ago, I made a documentary about gay footballers, inspired by my uncle, Justin Fashanu, the first openly gay British footballer. My uncle’s career was marred by homophobia and racism both on and off the pitch. He died by suicide in 1998. My film unearthed a litany of systemic barriers to making football a more open and welcoming place.

My uncle was desperate to pave the way for others in the game to live authentically. The news about the Blackpool player Jake Daniels coming out has shown just how different the world is now. There has been an outpouring of love and support for Daniels in the press and across social media – something that would have been hard to imagine in days gone by. Change may not have come as quickly as we had hoped, but Daniels’ experience shows we’re on the right path.

Amal Fashanu is a presenter, journalist and activist against homophobia in sport

In the UK, the youth suicide charity Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org, and in the UK and Ireland Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/CQ2d65b