England footballer Beth Mead explains why she never came out as gay

England Lionesses’ top scorer Beth Mead has spoken about how being gay in the women’s game is the “norm” – and how things are “much harder” for gay men in the sport.

At just 27, Beth has earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for scoring the most goals at the Women’s Euro 2022 tournament – a feat which saw her win the coveted Golden Boot.

She’s also become a bit of a queer icon.

“For me, when I was growing up, obviously where I came from, there wasn’t many people I knew who were out openly gay or bisexual,” Mead said in a new interview with Sky Sports.

“My parents maybe struggled in the beginning and it was something that was hard for me to say whether it was a phase or something I wanted to act upon.”

In a previous interview with England Football, Mead described where she is from as a “little village, literally in the middle of nowhere in North Yorkshire”.

She told Sky Sports: “I get how difficult it is for someone people and I get that it is not always socially accepted. 

“In the women’s game it is more norm. Actually, I’ve never physically come out and said I’m gay, I’m with a girl because I’ve not had to. I’ve just been me.

“I’ve put pictures with my partner on social media. To me, I’ve tried to make it the normal rather than make it a statement.”

‘So very different’ for male players

Beth Mead said she recognises it’s harder for men to come out in football as they “have to put it out in the media to see what reaction they get”.

Mead also called out “the culture in the men’s game” for being “so very different” to the women’s, making it “much, much harder” to be open about sexuality. 

“I want to bridge that gap and help the men as much as the women. 

“It’s a tough process. It’s emotionally and physically draining, and I get all aspects for people, but for me, you can’t help who you fall in love with and if you’re happy at the end of the day.”

She added that being gay “should’t be frowned upon and it should be the norm”.

“If you’re happy at the end of the day that’s all that matters”.