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       #Post#: 38499--------------------------------------------------
       James Adcock
   DIR By: Acme Thunderer
       Date: October 11, 2021, 3:16 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Interesting article on BBC Football News about James Adcock "
       Referee shares his story on National Coming Out Day". Full marks
       to James for sharing his story about being gay, now being the
       right time in his view to open up about his sexuality. I was a
       bit amused by the reference to James as a 'familiar figure in
       the English game' in view of his frequent absences for injury,
       but I wish him well and hope that it won't be too long before
       he's back in action on the FL.
       #Post#: 38501--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Adcock
   DIR By: hallux
       Date: October 11, 2021, 6:00 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Agree
       Only shame is that it is potentially still perceived by some as
       an issue that he has a male partner and needs an announcement to
       try to help his successors, which is what I believe he has done.
       I suspect many on this board are aware of/or are friends with
       players and officials who are gay, it's a shame there is still
       that old fashioned stigma lingering rather than a concentration
       on ability and competence, but James hasn't hindered the cause,
       it's just a shame to me that it's nearly 2022 and it is still
       seen as a matter for discussion.
       I live with the memory of people like Fashanu, black and gay in
       the 80s, in football. We don't need any more people in football
       or any other sport or indeed career having ethnicity or
       sexuality acceptance issues killing themselves at 37.
       #Post#: 38509--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Adcock
   DIR By: bmb
       Date: October 11, 2021, 10:05 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I find it so sad that in the women's game sexuality is no longer
       a thing but in the men's game it can still be an issue with far
       too many people. I can't get my head around a gay woman being
       "acceptable" but a gay male not being so. It really should not
       matter.  I'm glad he has faced no issues and indeed has has
       nothing but support from his colleagues so far and long may that
       continue, it should be the norm.  Hopefully one day it will be
       the norm.  I long to live in a world where people are judged
       purely on merit, whether that be on their job performance or
       whether they are a good person and not by the colour of their
       skin, their sexuality, their gender or any other factor some
       vile individual thinks is an excuse to discriminate against
       another. Hope to see him back on the pitch soon, he was always
       decent as a referee when we saw him at Dean Court. Lovely guy as
       well.
       Link to the article in case anyone has not seen it:
  HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58850314
       #Post#: 38523--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Adcock
   DIR By: Steelman
       Date: October 11, 2021, 10:35 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       It is a shocking indictment on society in general that this is
       even a story. We really should have "moved on" from caring about
       sexuality a long time ago. For myself as a gay man growing up in
       darkest Lanarkshire in the early 80's it was at times
       frightening the abuse and threats I had to live with on a
       regular basis.
       It's sad that Mr Adcock who is 18 years younger than me and grew
       up in more enlightened times still is not wholly accepted in
       society. We have made good progress towards same sex
       relationships being seen as the norm, and it does feel like
       shows like Strictly CD are having same sex couples on for the
       right reasons rather than ticking a box, but.......
       We still have a long way to go till it's not an issue at all.
       #Post#: 38527--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Adcock
   DIR By: Ref Watcher
       Date: October 11, 2021, 10:44 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Steelman link ---
       >
       > It is a shocking indictment on society in general that this is
       even a story. We really should have "moved on" from caring about
       sexuality a long time ago. For myself as a gay man growing up in
       darkest Lanarkshire in the early 80's it was at times
       frightening the abuse and threats I had to live with on a
       regular basis.
       > It's sad that Mr Adcock who is 18 years younger than me and
       grew up in more enlightened times still is not wholly accepted
       in society. We have made good progress towards same sex
       relationships being seen as the norm, and it does feel like
       shows like Strictly CD are having same sex couples on for the
       right reasons rather than ticking a box, but.......
       > We still have a long way to go till it's not an issue at all.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Whilst agreeing with all the points you make, I see nothing in
       the article that says Mr Adcock is not wholly accepted in
       society.  Quite the converse in fact.
       #Post#: 38529--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Adcock
   DIR By: Steelman
       Date: October 11, 2021, 11:02 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Ref Watcher link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Steelman link=topic=2944.msg38523#msg38523
       date=1633966517]
       > It is a shocking indictment on society in general that this is
       even a story. We really should have "moved on" from caring about
       sexuality a long time ago. For myself as a gay man growing up in
       darkest Lanarkshire in the early 80's it was at times
       frightening the abuse and threats I had to live with on a
       regular basis.
       > It's sad that Mr Adcock who is 18 years younger than me and
       grew up in more enlightened times still is not wholly accepted
       in society. We have made good progress towards same sex
       relationships being seen as the norm, and it does feel like
       shows like Strictly CD are having same sex couples on for the
       right reasons rather than ticking a box, but.......
       > We still have a long way to go till it's not an issue at all.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Whilst agreeing with all the points you make, I see nothing in
       the article that says Mr Adcock is not wholly accepted in
       society.  Quite the converse in fact.
       [/quote]
       Sorry, I have put my point over badly. Perils of trying to do
       this on an iPhone on a train.
       What I tried to put across was that Mr Adcock should not really
       have to explain his sexuality. It should be accepted without
       question by 100% of people. At the moment we are a long way from
       being wholly accepted. Mr Adcock's name here could be replaced
       by anyone, it was not solely aimed at this article.
       #Post#: 38530--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Adcock
   DIR By: Whistleblower
       Date: October 11, 2021, 11:26 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       A person's sexuality should barely be subject to comment these
       days but in the world of men's football ( as opposed to women's
       football where a far greater sense of enlightenment seems to
       pertain)  some attitudes can be fairly neanderthal so well done
       to James Adcock in raising his head over the parapet in this
       matter. I wonder if his stance might encourage other high
       profile referees to do the same. Interestingly, I have known
       that a few referees in the top flight are gay but I had never
       heard that James Adcock was. Although openness is entirely
       commendable and does break down barriers, I believe nobody
       should feel pressurised into revealing their sexuality. It must
       be a purely personal decision
       #Post#: 38532--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Adcock
   DIR By: greeny
       Date: October 11, 2021, 11:43 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
  HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09y8w26
       This is the link to the actual podcast - and interesting listen
       and lots of topics discussed, not just about his sexuality.
       #Post#: 38786--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Adcock
   DIR By: keith h
       Date: October 18, 2021, 10:22 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I was a referee at a very junior level back in the late sixties
       and seventies and am Gay.
       My sexuality was known to a couple of clubs I refereed quite
       regularly but was never a problem
       #Post#: 38790--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Adcock
   DIR By: bmb
       Date: October 18, 2021, 10:50 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: keith h link ---
       >
       > I was a referee at a very junior level back in the late
       sixties and seventies and am Gay.
       > My sexuality was known to a couple of clubs I refereed quite
       regularly but was never a problem
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Glad it was never a problem for you, that's exactly how it
       should be. Your sexuality should have absolutely zero relevance
       to anyone but yourself
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