Major League Soccer player Collin Martin has become only the second MLS player to come out as gay, sharing the news on social media on the same day his team, Minnesota United, was scheduled to host a 'Pride Match' in support of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Sharing a heartfelt message on Twitter, Martin wrote: “June is Pride month, and I am proud to be playing for Pride, and to be playing as an out gay man.”
He continued: “I have played Major League Soccer for 6 seasons: 4 seasons with DC United and 2 seasons with Minnesota United."
"Today I’m proud that the entire team and management of Minnesota United know that I’m gay.”
“As we celebrate Pride night I want to thank my teammates for their unconditional support for who I am. In light of who I am I want to encourage others who play sports professionally or otherwise to have confidence that sport will welcome them wholeheartedly,” Martin added, saying that his friends, families and teammates were already aware of his sexuality.
Former Leeds and Los Angeles Galaxy player, Robbie Rogers, who became the first MLS player to come out as gay in 2013, was quick to congratulate Martin.
Rogers tweeted: “Love this! So so inspiring thank you Collin! Good luck this season, except against the LA Galaxy.”
Others to offer their support included MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who said: “We admire Collin’s courage, and are proud of him and of the support from the soccer community.”
Martin’s former team, DC United, also showed their former teammate some love, tweeting: “Sending you love and support from DC, Collin! Have fun tonight!”
While various sporting codes around the world have been commended for their efforts towards reaching inclusivity, including locally with AFL's Pride Match and NRL's backing of the 'Yes Vote', many believe that homophobia is still a problem in sport.
Last year openly gay former NRL player Ian Robert admitted that there hadn't been as much progress as he'd hoped for.
“I thought there would be a trickle on effect … I wouldn’t have thought, 20 years down the line, that only one other player had come out at the end of his career,” Roberts, who came out as gay in 1997, said.
“We like to think things have changed, but they haven’t really.”
There has been a renewed focus on acceptance in sport lately, due in part to instances of homophobia at the World Cup in Russia, as well as Israel Folau's homophobic and transphobic comments earlier this year.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup is airing live on SBS until 16th July. All month, SBS will be covering stories about the sport that truly brings the country and the world together, regardless of gender, age, sexuality or cultural background. Join the conversation with #WeAllSpeakFootball. Find all the simultaneous games on SBS here.
