Jake Daniels has made history – but he deserves to be known for more than his sexuality

On Monday, Jake Daniels, a 17-year-old player for Blackpool FC, came out – becoming the first active openly gay male professional footballer in the UK for nearly 30 years. 

The public and media have rightfully reacted with overwhelming praise of Jake’s bravery, and he’s even received support from some of football’s leading lights – including Gary Neville and Harry Kane. 

At just 17, it’s hard to express just how much courage Jake’s decision takes.

But, through all the noise and celebration, it’s important to remember that Jake has the right to live a normal life as a young person. Indeed, in Jake’s statement, he states this as a major motivation for coming out: a desire to live his life openly and as his true self.

In contrast to the lurid coverage that greeted Justin Fashanu all those years ago, there was a joyous overtone to the front pages of the national papers – something that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago. 

It can only be an inspiration for other gay and bi male footballers who may have felt compelled to hide who they are for it harming their careers, and indeed LGBTQ+ people up and down the country who don’t feel they can yet be open in their own workplace.

But for Jake, the story of his coming out will not stop with this week’s headlines. 

We are proud to provide ongoing support to Jake, his close network, and Blackpool FC to navigate the challenges of coming out in the public eye. We all now have a responsibility to let him live his life away from the constant media and public attention.

Coming out is a personal journey of liberation and living your life without having to hide who you are – it’s joyful and freeing. But it’s not about being a spokesperson for LGBTQ+ people. 

While the support he’s received