West Brom LGBT group founder: We need a professional footballer to come out
The founder of Albion’s new LGBT supporters’ group being launched this weekend hopes a professional footballer will come out in England soon.
Piero Zizzi, who has been a season ticket holder in the Birmingham Road End his whole life, has set up the 'Proud Baggies' group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fans.
It is the first such group in the West Midlands to be officially recognised by its club, but is just one of a growing number around the country.
And Zizzi, who is 27, from Birmingham, and works for a sports marketing company, reckons it’s only a matter of time before a professional footballer comes out.
He told the Express & Star: “We have gay officials, referee Ryan Atkin came out this year. We have gay people working in stadiums, we have loads of gay fans, we need a gay footballer.
"It would be a positive role model for young LGBT fans to look up to. I only came out a couple of years ago in the sports industry, it’s a tough industry to be out in, stereotypically male and macho environment, although it’s getting better.
“To have someone that young people can identify with would be great.”
Zizzi is launching Proud Baggies at Albion’s diversity day this weekend. He will be in the Fan Zone before the match and is due to be one of the flag bearers on the pitch before kick-off.
Three years ago there were just four LGBT football groups in the country, Arsenal Gay Gooners, Proud Lilywhites at Spurs, Proud Canaries at Norwich, and Canal Street Blues at Manchester City. There are now more than 30.
“It’s grown rapidly,” said Zizzi. “All the other groups are doing lots of good stuff for the LGBT community. With West Brom’s diverse history and fanbase I thought it would be a good idea.
“I gauged interest on social media to see how interactive the fans were and it went well. We’ve now got a committee group of four. We had a few meetings with the club and Pride in Football.
“It’s quite a diverse group, we’ve got an older guy who is really appreciative who has suppressed his sexuality and not come out to a lot of people. He’s had to hide his sexuality at the football for years, so for him to be open and gay, it’s a big help.
“The official launch is on Saturday. We’ll be looking to get members on board and then we’ll have monthly meetings before home matches as well as travel to away games together.
“It’s going to be a social group as well, we’ll be mixing with other Albion supporters’ groups as well and if the away team has an LGBT group, we’ll meet up with them.
“It’s the first official group in the West Midlands. Although Wolves have just started something on social media and are waiting for club recognition, and Coventry have too.”
Although Zizzi thinks it’s important to have an LGBT group that offers supporters somewhere safe to share concerns and experiences, he does believe the stands are far more inclusive and understanding than they used to be.
“Personally I haven’t heard much (homophobia),” he said. “A long time ago when we played Brighton back in the old Division Two, I heard a few remarks to Brighton fans. David, the elder gentleman, has heard a bit more of homophobic abuse.
“This season when we played Brighton a lot of it was self-policed, other fans quickly called out any homophobic chanting and stopped it pretty quickly, which was good to see.
“I think society is changing, attitudes are a lot more relaxed, being gay is more acceptable now. Football is changing. The only thing we’re missing is an out LGBT professional in the UK.”
You can find out more about Proud Baggies on their Twitter page @WBALGBT. An official website is coming soon.
