Football Referee Tom Harald Hagen Comes Out
Norwegian football referee Tom Harald Hagen has come out as gay after a player used a homophobic slur against another player at one of his games.
In an interview with Glåmdalen last week, Hagen explained: “I feel the time is right and I think that only positive things will come out of this. I have gradually become confident in myself, and my life is very good.
“I feel it is important to make it safe, including the fact that I am gay. I have lived like that all my life, my relationship, my family – and my football family.”
He added: “For me, it has always been a completely natural part of life.”
Speaking about Sunday's incident, he continued: “It is the height of irony that I was just leading that match. Maybe he said it on a whim, that can happen in football. But we have to get rid of it.”
Responding to the news, FIFA’s Chief Social Responsibility and Education Officer Joyce Cook said in a statement: “FIFA commends Hagen on this courageous decision. For an active actor of the game to come out, and the positive reactions that this has generated overall, sends a clear message in favour of diversity.
“Football has to be for all and Tom Harald’s brave move is important to show the way and make everyone feel safe and welcome in our game.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
Actor Stanley Baxter, 94, Comes Out
Tiger King’s Carole Baskin Comes Out As Bisexual
X Factor Winner Dalton Harris Comes Out As Pansexual
Actor François Arnaud Comes Out As Bisexual
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
