Jake Rivers is an England International Midfielder and Manchester United Youth product. He's the life and soul of the party, with buckets of talent. But he's hiding a secret to the rest of the World.
One he thought he was comfortable hiding, until h...
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jakerivers6: This is not how I thought I'd be doing this but here goes. I've always tried to split my life in two halves, professional and personal. That personal side I've always attempted to keep private. I believe in the right to a private life; it helps me mentally balance my life and it helps me perform to my best on the pitch, for both club and country.
Today, a national newspaper has threaten to publish photographs of me with my partner on a recent holiday. They've tried to exploit me financially and they've attempted to extort me into giving them an interview on my private life. This is all because my partner is a man. Because I am gay.
I'm not ashamed of who I am. I have been out to friends and family for years. I've simply chosen to keep my personal life, private and allow myself the time to navigate what a public coming out would look like, as an international footballer. However, I've not been allowed the grace to do so. Instead our nation's media has threatened to out me. Being outed, or the threat of it, is one of the scariest and anxious experiences. You feel out of control of something that's at the core of your being. Something you want to be able to share once you've got the tools to deal with all the possible outcomes. Once you've developed strength in the vulnerability.
But fuck others profiting on my truth. Or trying to evoke feelings of shame within me. This has given me the strength to share with you all that I'm a professional footballer, who is also a member of the LGBT+ community. Thank you to @england and @manchesterunited for all your support, and to all my family and friends - you are the best. To those young boys and girls. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't be a footballer because you are this, or you are that. There's a place in this sport for you all.
Love, Jake
P.s. here's a photo of me on holiday that I'd like to share x
liked by manchestunited, masonmount and 576,433 others
marcusrashford: fuck the press. So proud and I love you brother deanhenderson: no one should be put through this, yet once again you handle it like a champion ❤️ love you always harrykane: a lion on and off the pitch, you continue to show us what it means to wear the 3 🦁 on our shirts masonmount: the man ❤️ mollyrivers: my hero, I love you trentarnold66: my guyy, so proud of you declanrice: you are the man jakey, always got your back, proud of you ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 niamhriversss: lighting the way for us all ❤️ england: yes Jake! We got you 🦁 madders: rivs you are the GUY, changing the game on the pitch and off it jesselingard: fkin love you leahwilliamson: bravery to stand up for what is right - big respect 🏳️🌈 benchilwell: yes jakey, love to see it and love you - you'll change so many's lives with this fikayotomori: yes brotherrrr, we ain't held hostage by cowards 👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿 tomdaley: you are paving the way for those young footballers jake, I hope you know how important this is and you are ❤️ sorry you've had to go through a coming out in this way nike: we got you jake, so proud of you and to call you part of the Nike family. solanke: I love you bro jasbenham: wow jakey, this is brill news ❤️ georgerivers93: my heart could burst right now, I'm so proud to call you my brother ❤️ tammyabraham: KING SHIT 👊🏿❤️ harrymaguire93: this is why it's so easy to captain at united, because we have LEADERS like this. People who are unafraid, bold. So proud to be your teammate laurenfryer: love you jake 💗 lucybronze: big time move here jake - paving the way dominiccalvertlewin: you are one of the best Jakey, love you long time manchesterunited: couldn't be prouder to call you a Red Devil, Jake ❤️ philfoden: so proud rivs, you keep showing us new levels of class and composure
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[Authors Note
Hey Guys, this chapter marks the half way point of the book and has been the focal point to build to from the beginning. I'd love the readers to share this chapter with their followers and fanfic friends! As we come to the end of pride celebrations in London and now have Jake Daniels as our only active gay male pro footballer in the UK, I'd love it if you could share to increase LGBTQIA+ visibility! 🏳️🌈 Thanks for your reads and comments! It means the world! Marino xx]
