Scottish footballer, Zander Murray, to give public talks at UHI Moray and Elgin City FC
A trailblazing Scottish footballer is giving two public talks exploring the issue of homophobia in sport.
Moray Pride Inclusion Hub is hosting Zander Murray as he talks in Elgin on Wednesday, May 7.
The former Motherwell, Airdrie and Bonnyrigg Rose striker made history in 2022, when he became the first Scottish professional footballer to come out as gay.
Since retiring from football, he has become a highly sought-after and award-winning public speaker, delivering talks on making sport more inclusive.
Zander has won several awards since coming out, including most recently Alumni of the year at Edinburgh Napier University.
In 2023 he was named one of the LGBTQ trailblazers changing the world by Attitude Magazine, and the football shirt in which he scored his 100th goal was placed in the Scottish Football Museum.
The first talk takes place at the University of Highlands and Islands Moray campus from 2.45pm until 4.15pm.
This will be followed by a second talk on the same subject in the Elgin City FC Hospitality Suite at Borough Briggs, between 7pm and 8.30pm.
There is no need to book before attending.
Zander said: “By my teens, I was playing for Motherwell's youth team, but I was also beginning to realise I was different from my friends.
“I knew I was gay, and I fought against it. I fought it because of the kind of conversations I was having in the changing room.
“These were the sorts of conversations young lads have; about girls, being tough, playing hard - and the language used to describe gay men was not what you would call inclusive.
“We were just boys and didn't know any better, but it did set me apart from my team-mates.
“While going out on the pitch was my relief, I slowly turned away from the game – it was some time after this that I returned to the professional game.
“It’s important to address homophobia, and I’m very pleased to be taking part in these talks.”
Councillor Kathleen Robertson, Chair of Moray Council Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee added: “We’re proud to support events like these, that open the door to difficult but essential conversations.
“Zander’s story is not only powerful, it’s one that is helping shift attitudes and inspire inclusion in sport and beyond. I have no doubt that he is helping change the landscape for future generations.
Jack Whyte, UHI Moray Active Campus Co-ordinator and one of the organisers who arranged for Zander to come up to Elgin, explained: “Both talks are open to everyone. The first session at Moray UHI is aimed at young people and will explore what we mean by homophobia and the hurtful impact it has on others.
“The evening session is aimed at all Moray-based sports clubs and the LGBTQ+ community. Zander will talk about his own personal experience of coming out as a gay professional footballer in Scotland and the steps we can all take to make our sports clubs as inclusive as possible.”
The Moray Pride Inclusion Sports Hub connects LGBTQ+ community members with local sports clubs to promote inclusive sporting opportunities.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Robin Paterson, Community Sports Hub Development Officer, by emailing: robin.paterson@moray.gov.uk.
