ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relationship between football, gender and sexuality in the 21st century. It is split into three main parts: (1) the cultural, social and legal landscape for LGBT individuals across the Western world along with a brief nod to the ‘global challenges’; (2) how, despite claims to the contrary, a significant body of work now documents wider society in its increased levels of acceptance of LGBT individuals; and (3) how, despite changes to the sporting landscape, this has not translated into significant numbers of ‘out’ gay and bisexual male professional players; included is a brief outline of governing bodies’ attempts to increase LGBT acceptance in the game.
