![]() “Years ago, someone might have felt like they couldn’t be themselves, which could lead to problems with their mental health. “For young people these days, having these role models in the game will make them feel like there’s more equality in the community,” she said. Representation and gay role modelsįor Hayley, having more LGBTQ+ role models in the game is an important step forward. Hayley still plays football on a local level she plays for Brighton side Seagals, a team for female and non-binary players in Brighton and Hove. “Obviously not everyone in the football team was gay, but you didn’t ever feel that you couldn’t be yourself around the other players.” ![]() “Being around women’s football created a safe place where I could go and be myself, and be fully accepted by the community. “Especially as a young player, when you’re 16 or 17, you’re not really taught that everyone should be treated equally so you don’t know what the expectations are.”īeing around women’s football created a safe place where I could go and be myself.ĭespite her initial nerves about being accepted in the dressing room, through women’s football Hayley had found a safe space where being gay was widely accepted. But actually, when you’re in and around a women’s football team, you start to realise that all love is love. “I was born in 1981, and as a youngster I was kind of made to feel like being gay is not normal. “As a player in women’s football has always been quite accepted, but when you join a team you’re never too sure what to expect. She eventually found her way back to Sussex, where she played for Albion Women for two more seasons before hanging up her boots.Īs a young player especially, Hayley wasn’t quite sure how she would be treated by other people in the game. In the summers, Hayley would take part in a coaching programme which saw her travel all over the United States to coach young players. She then moved to the National Women’s Football Academy in Durham, during which time she represented Middlesbrough FC. “That’s what we’re trying to change by raising awareness from a young age in our local schools.” How women’s football became a safe space for HayleyĪfter playing girls’ football as a youngster, Hayley joined the Albion Women reserve side when she was about 16. Historically, being gay was seen as a negative thing, and some people still don’t have that full awareness that everyone’s equal. “Not everyone in society is fully onboard still, so we still have some work to do. “There might even be someone in their school that’s transgender or non-binary, so now kids have a lot more awareness. Because it isn’t a taboo subject that you can’t talk about, they’re so clued up. “These days you’re teaching children and young people about these issues, but actually they already know so much. “You couldn’t even talk about same-sex relationships 20 years ago – now you’re looking at a whole other world of people realising how broad the LGBTQ+ community actually is, and celebrating that. ![]() The kids took it really well,” Hayley told us. “This year I delivered homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia training to a number of schools we work with. You couldn’t even talk about same-sex relationships 20 years ago – now look where we are.įrom what Hayley has seen, schoolchildren are becoming more educated than ever about what it means to be LGBTQ+. Same-sex couples have only been able to get married since 2013. Section 28 – the law effectively banning schools from talking to children or educating them about homosexuality – was only lifted in 2003 in England and Wales. While most schools now have a strong focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), it wasn’t long ago that schools were prevented by law from even talking about same-sex relationships. Schools, Hayley believes, are key in changing attitudes and making positive change for the future. Much of Hayley’s day-to-day work happens in schools she works closely with a number of Special Educational Needs schools across Sussex to help bring disability football to their pupils. Hayley spoke to us all about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in football, the power of role models, and the challenges that we still have to tackle in society. She has a long history with the beautiful game Hayley played women’s football at a high level and even used to play for Brighton & Hove Albion Women FC. Hayley has worked at Albion in the Community for more than a decade, joining the charity back in 2012.Ī disability development officer at Albion in the Community, Hayley helps schools by delivering PE and sports programmes and PSHE lessons. As part of LGBTQ History Month, we’re focusing on one of our amazing staff members who has been an LGBTQ+ role model at Albion in the Community for over ten years: Hayley.
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