The Pink Times
Aa
  • Home
  • World News
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • Rights
    • Activism
    • Law
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Media
    • Health
  • Health
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Drag
    • Fashion
    • History
    • Love
    • People
    • Photography
    • Religion
  • Drag
  • Life
  • Money
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • People
Reading: Footballer Jake Williamson: A Champion for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Sports
Share
Aa
The Pink Times
Search
  • Home
  • World News
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • Rights
    • Activism
    • Law
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Media
    • Health
  • Health
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Drag
    • Fashion
    • History
    • Love
    • People
    • Photography
    • Religion
  • Drag
  • Life
  • Money
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • People
Follow US
The Pink Times > Culture > People > Footballer Jake Williamson: A Champion for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Sports
PeopleSports

Footballer Jake Williamson: A Champion for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Sports

The Pink Times
The Pink Times February 6, 2023
Updated 2023/02/06 at 10:06 PM
Share

Birmingham-based footballer, Jake Williamson, has always had a love for sports that runs deep. But growing up gay in a sport-loving community wasn’t always easy for him. “In my own head when I was growing up… [I thought], ‘I don’t fit in, I’m never going to come out, I’m going to live this life with a wife and kids, and that was going to be me,’” Jake recalls.

At the age of 16, Jake started playing semi-professional football, which continued into his university years, and even after, when he played for a Polish football team. But eventually, he left it all behind to become a personal trainer. However, plans to move to Chicago to work as a trainer in a gym were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which left him alone with his thoughts.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Proud to say that I will be partnering with @stonewalluk as a Sports champion (Ambassador) in 2023.

My aim is to help people see how amazing it is to be your authentic self but also help to bridge the gaps in the community and allow people to feel connected.

1/3 pic.twitter.com/vBj7sLercT

— Jake Williamson (@jakewilliamson4) December 27, 2022

That all changed when Jake met his partner at the age of 21. It was then that he came out and started playing in a Sunday football league in Birmingham. But the newfound confidence was short-lived. Jake was met with homophobia for the first time from his own football team and was completely shut out. The experience still angers and upsets him to this day.

Jake’s coming out experience highlighted the lack of representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in men’s sports. “I’ve played football for 20 years and I’m yet to meet an actively gay football player or manager,” Jake says. This lack of representation is a big part of the problem and is compounded by the toxic fan culture in sports.

Determined to make a difference, Jake started using social media to speak out about his experiences as a gay athlete. His bravery and advocacy caught the attention of many, and he has since become a sports ambassador for LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall. “I’m no one special – I just thought that I needed to have a voice and show that these are the difficulties that people face,” he says. And with the impact he’s had, it’s clear that his voice is making a difference in the sports community.

TAGGED: Advocate, Community, Fan culture, Footballer, inclusion, Journey, LGBTQ+, Professional career, Representation, sports

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts and more!
Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
The Pink Times February 6, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit VKontakte Telegram Email
Share
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1433186274085588996/Xt2ihQJl_normal.jpg
@thepinktimes
0 Following
80 Followers
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1433186274085588996/Xt2ihQJl_normal.jpg 10 hours ago
Kate McKinnon makes history again with leading role in sci-fi film #LGBTQrepresentation #IntheBlinkofanEye… https://t.co/ACrLvJLdmO
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1433186274085588996/Xt2ihQJl_normal.jpg 11 hours ago
Step into a world of queer beauty and ancient Greece with photographer Helias Doulis. #QueerGrecoRomance… https://t.co/9kXm7OBXq1
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1433186274085588996/Xt2ihQJl_normal.jpg 11 hours ago
Step inside Elska Magazine's latest issue and discover the hot men of Bern's LGBTQ community. Get ready for intimat… https://t.co/1Y3BS6TkUZ
Out actress Kate McKinnon lands leading role in new sci-fi film
Movies
Stunning Queer Tribute to Ancient Greece’s Male Beauty: A Photographer’s Bold Take
Art Photography
Get up Close and Personal with Bern, Switzerland’s Hot LGBTQ Men in Elska Magazine’s Intimate Portrayal
Photography
Jojo Siwa Reveals Shocking Encounter With Former Employer Over Coming Out as Gay
People
VP Kamala Harris Congratulates Trans TikTok Star Dylan Mulvaney – Bigots React
People
Ad image
Join us!

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Most Viewed Posts

  • Hot Photos from Paul’s Book “Larrikin Prince” Unleashed
  • Hot and Sexy: A Visual Exploration of Masculine Bravado and Regal Splendor
  • A Shift in Perspective: The Art of Male Nude Photography
  • A Journey Through Male Body Diversity with InkedKenny and BEEFYBOY
  • The Ginger Sensation of RuPaul’s Drag Race: A Tribute to Bryce Eilenberg

Useful links

About us
Advertise
Contact
Newsletter

The Pink Times
Follow US

All rights reserved

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss the latest news, podcasts and more!

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?