Tom Daley inspired me to come out as gay, says England captain Casey Stoney

 
“I feel I can face anything”: Casey Stoney plays for Arsenal ladies
File photo dated 26/10/2013 of England's Casey Stoney. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday February 10, 2014. England Women's captain Casey Stoney is hoping to make it easier for more people to come out after speaking at length for the first time
10 February 2014

THE captain of the England women’s football team, Casey Stoney, has announced she is gay.

The 31-year-old, who has 116 England caps and captained Great Britain at the London Olympics, said she decided to go public after the positive reaction received by diver Tom Daley, who came out in December.

She said: “I was living a lie. I’ve never hidden it within football circles because it is accepted. But to the outside world, I’ve never spoken about my sexuality.”

The defender, who plays for Arsenal Ladies, told the BBC: “It’s really important for me to speak out ... there are so many people struggling who are gay, and you hear about people taking their own lives because they are homosexual. That should never happen. How can I expect other people to speak about themselves if I’m not willing to?

“I looked at the response Tom Daley got. It was incredibly positive, and I thought, ‘Wow, the world is changing and it’s time for me to stand up and tell my side of the story. For the last 10 years I’ve always cared too much what other people think. I was frightened of the stereotypes, frightened of being judged, frightened of what other people might say, especially the abuse you can get through social media.

“But I’m in a place where I feel so comfortable in my own skin, I feel so loved by the person I’m with, I feel I can face anything.”

She criticised the decision to host upcoming World Cups in Russia and Qatar because of their attitudes towards homosexuals.

Basildon-born Stoney said she believed homosexuality was more accepted in the women’s than men’s game and estimated there were “maybe two or three” gay players in some teams.

In December Daley released a YouTube video announcing he was in a relationship with a man.

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