Euro Leagues: Hitzlsperger’s “fantastic journey” since coming out - a podcast by BBC Radio 5 live

Stuttgart CEO Thomas Hitzlsperger joins Steve Crossman, Julien Laurens, Rafa Honigstein and Kristof Terreur to discuss his decision to come out as gay seven years ago, the progress made since then and the importance of LGBT+ history month.
Steve, Julien, Rafa and Kristof also discuss the chaos at Marseille and whether Bayern’s Jamal Musiala will choose to play for England or Germany at senior level.
Oh – and why has Julien been made into a cartoon character popular in his childhood (one that nobody else seems to have heard of)?

TOPICS

0 mins – Julien on his love of the cartoon character Captain Tsubasa

2.30 – Rafa discusses the story he wrote with Thomas Hitzlsperger when he came out in 2014

6.35 – Julien explains the recent chaotic events at Marseille, resulting in the departure of Andre Villas-Boas

16.38 – Thomas explains why it has been a difficult month for him at Stuttgart

20.44 – Thomas on how progress has been made in football since he came out in 2014

24.20 – Thomas explains how abuse on “social media does not touch me anymore” but language about LGBT+ issues remains important

27.32 – Thomas discusses the Qatar World Cup and the LGBT+ community

31.36 Thomas discuss the importance of LGBT+ history month – “visibility helps people who feel insecure”

33.07 – Thomas discusses the work done by the German FA with gay amateur footballers

38 – the team discuss who Jamal Musiala will choose to play for at senior level

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