However, the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in football have been highlighted by the decision to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal because it is considered immoral under Islamic Sharia law. Daniels hopes the experiences of him, Cavallo and Jankto will lead to more male footballers feeling comfortable enough to come out. Australian Cavallo, 24, told BBC Sport in March he still receives death threats after coming out as gay. Roughly 13% of players at the 2023 Women's World Cup identified as LGBTQ+, demonstrating strong representation at the game's highest level.

There were times where I wondered if this was going to affect the moves that I get. If I go out on loan, am I going to be scared to be in a dressing room with older people who might have a different view on gay males? Daniels said he "really struggled" with his mental health over a six-month period before he was able to accept his sexuality and come out. Henderson, 33, was criticised by some LGBTQ+ campaigners over his transfer to Saudi, where same-sex sexual activity is illegal, after he had previously publicly shown support for the LGBTQ+ community. Czech Republic's Jakub Jankto became only the second current openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world in February, after Adelaide United player Josh Cavallo in October 2021. There were a lot of things to consider but I was getting injured, I wasn't eating properly, I wasn't sleeping. It just made everything so much worse. I just knew that I had to come out."In men's football, it comes down to strength," said Daniels. "I feel like players, if they come out as gay, are [worried they are] going be seen as weak. Now that smooth bottom is in for a damn good spanking ensuring a burning end and of course the right measure that was needed to deal with the light-fingered lad! Premier League players obviously have so much more pressure on them and so many more eyes on them, but I just feel that to have more footballers come out would be the start of it. Daniels said it was also "frustrating" to see former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard become Al-Ettifaq's manager in July.

But Daniels hopes incremental progress can continue to be achieved in the UK - and especially in the Premier League, which remains without any openly gay players. He said that after coming out, he received a private message of support on his social media account from Henderson, which he has kept. An HD version of this video is also available through Sting Raw at Clips4Sale for customers who wish to use an alternative processor. The weekend experience will include discussions & sharing in pairs, triads, small and large groups. It will include storytelling, psychological exploration & education, book readings, expressive writing, coaching and self-reflection & inquiry.

The Quest programme is an experiential journey designed to empower gay, bi & queer men into a powerfully positive way of living –– free from the constraints of the past and unleashed to the possibility of the present. Two professional group facilitators and certified coaches support participants to develop a sense of self to creatively engage in life. Attendees practise new behaviours and engender new beliefs that move them towards authentic living with a connection to others & confident self-expression. He wrote a long piece for the Liverpool matchday programme in November 2021, expressing support for Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign. Henderson was one of dozens of elite players at top European clubs who moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq as part of a huge state investment into the domestic game.