September 20, 2022
Footballer Zander Murray 'Blown Away' By Support After Coming Out
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Footballer Zander Murray says he has been "blown away" by messages of support since he became the first senior Scottish footballer to reveal that he is gay, the BBC reports.
"It's been crazy, I'll be honest," he told the BBC. "I didn't anticipate the reach and how many people it's inspired and motivated and the lovely messages."
He continues: "The private messages of people and fans alike, people from other communities, from other sports, football players in the leagues messaging me support, asking for guidance and help.
"It fills my heart with so much joy, and to be sitting here I'm so humbled. It's amazing."
The Gala Fairydean Rovers forward spoke about coming out in an interview published on the Lowland League club's website on Friday.
"Murray, 30, who is in his fourth season with the club, will be the first openly gay footballer in Scottish men's professional footballer since Justin Fashanu played for Airdrie and Hearts in the mid-1990s, several years after announcing his sexuality," The Lowland League club post writes.
Since publicly coming out, he said nothing has changed between him and his team mates.
"I didn't do the whole 'everyone sit down, I'm gay'," he tells the BBC. "I just said it's out in the open, it's exploded online, if you want to ask me about it, if you want advice or guidance - pick my brain about anything.
"However you treat me the exact same. I want the same banter, the same fun and the same deep chats we have. Nothing changes."
He said he felt more comfortable about coming out after Blackpool's Jake Daniels became the UK's first openly gay active male professional footballer in May. He made his decision to go public after attending a pride event while on vacation.
"It's been so challenging," he said. "Mainly in my head, I'll be brutally honest. I've just created so many issues with it.
"And obviously with things that have happened in the past it's been preying on my mind and not having a lot of role models growing up, that was a huge challenge for me."
