West Ham United fan and broadcaster Rylan Clark is to mark LGBT History Month with a new documentary Rylan: Homophobia, Football and Me.
The documentary, which examines the place of homosexuality within the beautiful game, will premiere on TNT Sports and be available to stream on discovery+ from 10.30pm on Tuesday 13 February.
Clark, who was raised as a Hammer before losing his love for the game as a result of homophobic attitudes, explores football’s relationship with homosexuality by speaking to former West Ham and Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, who came out as a gay man in 2014, following his retirement from playing.
The Celebrity Gogglebox and BBC Radio 2 star also talks to ex-West Ham and England defender Rio Ferdinand about his discusses his use of a homophobic slur live on BBC Radio 1 and how his own attitudes have changed, and speaks to Arsenal women’s defender Jen Beattie, who explains the differing attitudes to homosexuality within the female game.
On making the documentary, Clark explained: “Growing up loving football and being a West Ham fan, I always assumed that I’d be able to go to games whenever I wanted as I got older. But as time moved on and as a gay man, I sometimes felt uncomfortable around spectators at games. I’m not one to be easily offended but some of the language and insults that were used on a daily basis by football crowds made going to games almost impossible, especially as I got more and more known and started having them directed at me.
“This documentary aims to highlight that football is for everyone regardless of what you get up to in your private life. I talk to fans, players, past and present, about how the beautiful game could be even prettier for everyone to enjoy, and how as fans we can change to help make players feel comfortable sharing their sexuality if they wish to do so.”
West Ham United’s ongoing dedication and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) has been recognised by the Premier League, who presented the Club with the highest level of award in this area, the Advanced level of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS). For more information, click here.
The Club supports Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign in support of the LGBTQ+ community and increasing diversity in sport and works closely with its official LGBTQIA+ supporters’ group, Pride of Irons. This close relationship saw the Irons launch the ‘Hammers Pride Bar’ in Hackney Wick in November last year, providing an inclusive social space for people to hold positive conversations about what we can all do to support the LGBTQ+ community and help create environments where everyone feels welcome. To find out more about Pride of Irons, click here.
