“I’m in it for life”: How being gay shaped my relationship with Chelsea
Jake Denton reflects on the lasting impact of homophobic chants, football heteronormativity and his “love affair” with the sport.
WORDS BY JAKE DENTON IN COLLABORATION WITH VERSUS HEADER DESIGN BY JACK ROWE TW – Mentions of suicide and depression. “Dad, what’s a rent boy?” It was a question that my father probably didn’t know how to answer.
Not that he had strong opinions about young male prostitutes, one way or another. There were just some things you’d rather not explain to your eight-year-old son (especially when you’re 1-0 down against Southampton). “Dad,” I asked again. “Did you hear me?” It was 2004.
My first year as a ‘real’ Chelsea fan, who was allowed to stay up past his bedtime to watch the Champions League, wear his replica shirt to bed, and name the family goldfish, ‘Zola’.
