Rogers: ‘I thought there would be more of a chain reaction when I came out’
By Josh Haggis
Robbie Rogers has revealed he was shocked there wasn’t “more of a chain reaction” when he came out as gay.
The former Attitude cover star came out in February 2013 after retiring from professional football, but he later returned to the game when he joined LA Galaxy the same year.
In a new interview, Rogers – who is currently the only openly gay professional athlete competing in a top US sports league – says that although “there are a number” of gay men playing professional sports, “they don’t feel comfortable” coming out for fear of judgement.
“To be honest, I thought when I came out and Jason and Michael, I thought there’d be a chain reaction,” Rogers told AP. “It’s been a lot slower. I guess that just reminds me how big a problem it is in sports culture with homophobia. They don’t feel comfortable.”
He continued: “In the end, it’s really about guys coming out and changing the atmosphere by being in it. You definitely need to create the environment first where guys feel comfortable.”
“There are a number of gay men playing professional sports, just not out,” he added.
Meanwhile, a US sitcom based on Rogers’ life as a gay footballer has been greenlit – find out more details here.
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