Zander Murray: “In a city that means so much to me, this kind of event matters."
– 2 min read
Scotland’s first openly gay professional footballer, Zander Murray, is set to take centre stage at The Social Hub in Glasgow as part of its Pride celebrations this July.
On 17 July, Zander will host a community dinner at the venue, bringing people together to celebrate connection, collaboration, and creativity. This follows his powerful Lunch & Learn session on 25 June, where he shared his personal journey and called for greater visibility and inclusion in sport.
The events are part of The Social Hub’s week-long Pride Hub programme, designed to foster dialogue and community engagement.
Zander, who came out publicly in 2022 while still playing professionally, reflected on the significance of the event:
“In a city that means so much to me, this kind of event matters. It’s not just about being seen. It’s about being heard.”
A former striker for Gala Fairydean Rovers, Zander’s life changed after a heartfelt Facebook post he made while on holiday in Benidorm.
“I was just sitting on a balcony, no Instagram, no Twitter—just me thinking, ‘I’m finally ready.’ I made this wee post for the lads on my team, fell asleep, and woke up to messages from Lorraine Kelly. I was like, what the f*** is going on?”
His candidness struck a chord across the football world and beyond.
“I didn’t play higher because I hated myself. I thought if I joined a big club, someone would dig up a camp photo, post it online, and the abuse would start. You don’t get slagged for missing a pass—they go for your sexuality. It’s brutal. And it messes with your head.”
Since coming out, Zander has become a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, speaking at schools, football academies, and major organisations including UEFA and the Hong Kong Gay Games.
At his talks, he challenges young athletes directly: “I ask three questions: Who’s heard homophobic language this month? In this club? Who’s said it? And after I tell my story, you can see the penny drop. That moment is when things start to change.”
Returning to Glasgow always feels special, he says: “Any work in Glasgow means everything to me. I don’t have to slow my voice down. The crowds get it. I’m from here. It’s personal. I see my younger self in all of them.”
