EFL referee James Adcock comes out as gay with fellow officials ‘proudly’ supporting him as he shares his experience publicly.
The 37 year old is a familiar figure within English football, having refereed more than 500 matches in a career that has taken him from amateur level all the way to the Premier League.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast to coincide with National Coming Out Day, Adcock reflected on his time in the game and also explained why now is the right time to open up about his sexuality.
Adcock first came out when he was 27 and has praised his colleagues within the game for their support since he made the decision.
Speaking on the LGBT Sport Podcast, he said: “As I was going from part-time to full-time in football, some knew and some didn’t.
“Now all my colleagues know, and it’s just the norm. And, to be honest, there’s been interest from colleagues saying, ‘I’m proud of you James, that you’re able to be openly gay in sport,’ because they know the barriers that are still in place.
“They’re fully supportive and don’t change the way they are around me or the way they speak to me because they thought I was a heterosexual guy, and now they find out I’m a gay guy.
“I don’t need to wear a T-shirt saying: ‘I’m James Adcock and I’m a gay guy.’ People know and just accept it.
“I’ve not had any homophobic abuse thrown at me, and I can’t tell you a story where I’ve had to combat or overcome that.”
Adcock added that anybody who comes out as gay will have ‘every support’ from other officials within the game.
He said: “A lot of referees will think they can’t come out because it’s going to affect their progression within the sport.
“But you are not judged by your sexuality – and if you are confident enough in yourself, you’re going to have every support from every colleague, and it’s not going to affect you.
“To come out as gay or not come out as gay, you have to choose that as a person and not as a ref. But from the top level down, there’s not an issue.”
Derbyshire-born Adcock says that injury has now limited him to refereeing part-time.
He began an online health and fitness consultancy during the Covid pandemic, and is juggling that business with his refereeing.
And he hopes he won’t be viewed differently after coming out next time he takes charge of a game.
He said: “Just treat me the way you’d treat anyone else, you’re there as a supporter, a player or a manager – and you judge me on my performances.
“That’s what I’m judged on. I’m not refereeing because I’m gay, I’m refereeing because I’m refereeing a game of football – so just treat me as a normal human being.
“That’s where my family, my friends, and my football colleagues have been so supportive – because it doesn’t matter that I am gay and involved in sport, and refereeing in the Football League.”
🗣️ “I’m proud to be an openly gay man in football.”
James Adcock has officiated everywhere from the amateur level to the Premier League.
Now the referee is opening up for the first time about his sexuality, and being gay in the sport.@BBCSport | @BBCMOTD | #ComingOutDay pic.twitter.com/BiTr4qbX9Q
— Jack Murley (@jack_murley) October 11, 2021
Use these helplines to find out more information and advice on coming out…
NHS Choices – Sex & Young People
Am I Gay, Lesbian or Bi-sexual
During puberty, you have lots of emotions and sexual feelings. It’s normal for girls to think about girls in a sexual way, and for boys to think about boys in a sexual way. You don’t choose your sexuality, it chooses you. These links offer information for young people who think they might be gay, lesbian or bisexual. Includes sources of support, safer sex, coming out and dealing with bullying.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
Helpline: 0300 330 0630 (10-10 daily)
At Switchboard we provide an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people – and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity. We are confidential, welcoming, supportive and non-judgemental.LGBT Health Scotland
Helpline 0300 123 2523 (Tuesdays & Wednesday 12-9)
Working to improve the health, wellbeing and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people in Scotland.
LGBT Youth Scotland
We are Scotland’s national charity for LGBTI young people, working with 13–25 year olds across the country. We also deliver the LGBT Charter programme to schools, organisations and businesses.
Our goal is to make Scotland the best place to grow up for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people. We play a leading role in the provision of quality youth work to LGBTI young people that promotes their health and wellbeing, and are a valued and influential partner in LGBTI equality and human rights.
The Mix
Helpline: 0808 808 4994
Life’s tough, we know that. It can throw a lot your way and make it hard to know what the hell to do with it all. So, welcome to The Mix. Whether you’re 13, 25, or any age in between, we’re here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. We give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you’re awesome. We’ll connect you to experts and your peers who’ll give you the support and tools you need to take on any challenge you’re facing – for everything from homelessness to finding a job, from money to mental health, from break-ups to drugs. We’re a free and confidential multi-channel service. That means that you choose how you access our support, without the worry of anyone else finding out. Whether it be through our articles and video content online or our phone, email, peer to peer and counselling services – we put the control in your hands. You can even volunteer with us too.
Childline
Helpline: 0800 1111
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine in these ways: You can phone on 0800 1111, send us an email, have a 1-2-1 chat with us, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards. You can contact ChildLine about anything – no problem is too big or too small. If you are feeling scared or out of control or just want to talk to someone you can contact ChildLine.
Stonewall – The Lesbian, Gay & Bi-sexual Charity
Stonewall works to achieve equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people.
ACAS – Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
Helpline: 0300 123 1150
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect at work. Bullying and harassment of any kind are in no-one’s interest and should not be tolerated in the workplace, but if you are being bullied or harassed it can be difficult to know what to do about it. This leaflet gives employees basic information about bullying and harassment. Summarises the responsibilities of employers. Outlines some of the options open to you and points you to sources of further information and advice.
FFLAG (Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Central Helpline no: 0845 652 0311
Offers support to local parents groups and contacts, in their efforts to help parents and families understand accept and support their lesbian gay and bisexual members with love and pride.
Twitter users reacted as the EFL referee comes out as gay with fellow officials ‘proudly’ supporting him…
@RMBlue45CdoRM: Be proud of your sexuality and enjoy the job mate 👍
@WillBeckman_: occasionally, very occasionally, we can still have nice news stories. this one is very nice. 🏳️🌈
@SlXTIMES: Great that he is free to be open about his sexuality without any discrimination from colleagues, as it should be. But we have some way to go before it’s socially acceptable to be a referee .
@felipemdlima1: I hope sport gets to a place where everyone and anyone can be themselves openly and confidently without any prejudice 👏🏻
@ArgylePride: Another step forward in the right direction. Big up James for speaking about his journey as a gay man in football 👌🏳️🌈
@dondraperrrrr: You know how frustrating it is that premier league for all its progress in other things is still not ready to accept gay footballers? I’m talking about the childish mfs who call themselves ‘fans’ and say vile things on social media.
@CarrieBrownTV: It’s a reassuring step forward for a referee to feel comfortable enough to come out in football. There is no pressure on anyone in football to reveal their sexuality. There must be pressure on our industry to make it a choice without consequence. James and Jack “Thank you!”
@kingchaddes: Saw Burnleys insta came out in support of referee James Adcock for coming out, and half the comments are just fuckin vile shite. Of course not all Burnley fans are like this and it’d be shitty to assume that the majority don’t think this is awful, but it’s fuckin demoralising.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login