Scotland's first gay footballer Zander Murray to host Pride events
The Lunch & Learn session will be hosted at The Social Hub by Zander, who will share his personal journey, the challenges he's faced, and how visibility and representation can help create a more inclusive future for LGBTQ+ athletes.
Murray will also host a community dinner at The Social Hub on Thursday 17 July, a celebration of connection, collaboration, and creativity.
The former footballer, who played for Lowland League team Gala Fairydean when he came out, said: '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.'
Murray became the first openly gay male footballer in Scotland in 2022. Since then, he has become a tireless advocate for inclusivity in sport.
Zander Murray during his playing days (Image: Social Hub) He said: 'I was just sitting on a balcony in Benidorm, no Instagram, no Twitter, just me thinking, I'm finally ready. So I made this wee post for the lads on my team. Fell asleep. Woke up to messages from Lorraine Kelly. I'm like, what is going on? I was literally told to get a flight to London to be on her show. It was insane.'
'I signed for a new club just after coming out, and suddenly the BBC documentary dropped early. I was presenting it, doing press, trying to stay match-fit. It was too much. I had to leave pre-season camp early to lead Edinburgh Pride. Two weeks later, I was off to Hong Kong to speak at the Gay Games. The advocacy just took over.'
He added: 'You don't get slagged for missing a pass. They go for your sexuality. Twitter, TikTok, the comments. It's brutal. And it messes with your head. You're already under pressure just being a footballer. Add all that, and it's too much.'
Murray is now an award-winning keynote speaker, delivering talks and workshops across schools, football academies and corporate organisations including LinkedIn, Morgan Stanley, UEFA and the Hong Kong Gay Games, helping to shift attitudes and win over hearts and minds.
Zander Murray will appear at The Social Hub in Glasgow (Image: Social Hub) He said: 'I go into rooms of young boys and 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.'
Murray has travelled across the UK and internationally for advocacy work, from the Gay Games in Hong Kong to Pride events in Manchester and London, but says returning to Glasgow always hits differently.
'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.'
'You walk into a room in the east end and the lads are pure giggling, acting daft. But once you tell them what it was like growing up gay in a scheme, they get it. You see the shift happen in real time. That's the power of doing it here.'
'When I saw my shirt in the museum at Hampden, next to legends like Sir Alex Ferguson and Denis Law, I felt like a total imposter. But then I thought, what if 13-year-old me saw that, that could've saved my life.'
'They're smashing it at The Social Hub. Hosting sober events, listening, adapting. You feel seen there, and it's actually for the community.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Live
2 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Man gobsmacked as he buys hundreds of scratchcards on Ryanair flight
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Vik on TikTok documented a curious experiment on a Ryanair flight when his friend Ethan decided to purchase every scratch card available onboard to test his luck, the venture astonishingly leaving them with nothing. The video clip that Vik shared shows his shock as he pulls out scratch card after scratch card with no success; even fellow passengers joined in to lend a hand with the scratching frenzy. Detailing the bizarre event, Viktok stated: "We are here on Ryanair and this man Ethan has bought every single scratch card on the flight. I've opened about 100 scratch cards, I've been opening these one at a time. "We have not won a single thing. We have won nothing - no one has won anything. I'll keep you guys posted." In total, Ethan got hold of 68 packets of scratch cards, but much to their bewilderment, they didn't have an ounce of luck. He enlisted the help of other travellers to get through the masses of scratch cards, yet a win proved elusive. Despair filled the cabin as someone hollered: "No one won anything.", reports Belfast Live. Vik continued: "You're supposed to match three - I can't even match two. We've lost again." The group was dumbfounded by the lack of winnings. After the video made its way online, it rapidly attracted views into the thousands and prompted a barrage of comments as viewers shared their thoughts on the fruitless endeavour. A passenger quipped: "100% they won't allow mass buying on the flight again, lol." Another, claiming to be Ryanair cabin crew, warned: "I am cabin crew for Ryanair and there is so much more that you don't know. They can't sell you that many. There is a limit spend per passenger. Cabin crew in trouble!". A third person mused: "I wonder how many people have ever won money on those." In contrast, someone who found luck aboard shared: "I remember winning like £26 of on board vouchers. When asking to buy something, I heard the cabin crew say 'someone's actually won'. That's how slim your odds are." These scratch cards sold by Ryanair came under fire after it emerged that jackpot "winners" must participate in a further draw to get a shot at the €1million prize. According to an investigation from 2016, the supposed victor is faced with choosing from 125 envelopes, only one of which contains the jackpot. Back then, Ryanair highlighted that other envelopes held €50,000, suggesting there was still substantial money to win. Reports went on to highlight that the promotional materials claimed a car was won each month, with additional cash prizes up to €5,000 available. The staggering odds for scooping the jackpot were also unveiled, believed to be around 1.2billion to one. For comparison, winning the Lotto here has odds of 10.7million to one, whilst earning the EuroMillions jackpot stands at a probability of 139.8million to one. With the National Lottery, you're only allowed to buy 10 scratch cards in a single transaction, but it's not clear how many you can purchase with Ryanair. The company has been asked to comment on these claims.
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Vodafone joins forces with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as new Presenting Partner
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has today announced Vodafone as its new Presenting Partner, marking the beginning of an exciting partnership that stems from shared values and a commitment to supporting military and local communities. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has today announced Vodafone as its new Presenting Partner, marking the beginning of an exciting partnership that stems from shared values and a commitment to supporting military and local communities. Joining Glenfiddich, Innis & Gunn and Pentland Land Rover, this partnership marks a significant milestone for Vodafone as it continues to strengthen its presence in Scotland and deepen its relationships with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other key stakeholders. It also showcases the Tattoo's evolution and commitment to future proofing the annual event. Highlighting their dedication to engaging with local and military audiences which are two key groups that are central to the organisations mission and values. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To celebrate, Vodafone is extending a unique opportunity for EH postcode residents and UK Military personnel to take advantage of a 25% discount on tickets for the 6:15pm performance on Friday, August 22. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Celebrating 75 years of the Tattoo, the 2025 Show The Heroes Who Made Us promises a breathtaking display of music, lights, and precision. Fans will witness the moving and passionate songs from the Ukrainian Community Choirs, exhilarating and visually stunning carnival drums of Top Secret Drum Corps from Switzerland and the military precision and excellence of the Paris Port Dover Pipes and Drums who have been hailed as proud ambassadors of the cultural diversity of their homeland, Canada. Jason Barrett, CEO of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, expressed his enthusiasm: 'We are thrilled to welcome Vodafone UK as our new presenting partner. Their dedication to security and their cultural commitments align perfectly with our values. This partnership allows us to offer something special to our local and military audiences. By working together, we can provide exclusive benefits that honour and celebrate these key communities.' Scotland remains an important market for Vodafone as it looks to extend its 5G standalone coverage across 99% of the UK population by 2034. The expansion of 5G services is crucial for driving innovation, economic growth, and connectivity in both urban and rural communities, ensuring that Scotland remains at the forefront of digital development. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Steve Knibbs, Director, Vodafone Business Security Enhanced, Vodafone Business UK commented: 'We're incredibly proud to partner with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – a globally renowned event that celebrates excellence, connection, and tradition. This partnership gives us a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our ties with the MOD and public sector, as well as deepen our engagement in Scotland. It also enables us to demonstrate the value of Vodafone's secure communications and technology solutions to customers and stakeholders alike.' By offering exclusive discounts and creating tailored experiences, the Show continues to aim to honour and give back to vital communities who are at the heart of the event. This partnership not only reinforces their dedication to these key groups but also strengthens their connection with them, ensuring the Tattoo remains an inclusive and cherished tradition for all. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to witness The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at a discounted rate. Tickets for EH postcode holders and Military personnel will be available to purchase tickets for the 6:15 performance on Friday, August 22 here.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Our beautiful seaside town was slammed as a rundown DUMP in viral TikTok video – but here's what it's REALLY like
See photos of Folkestone at its finest taken during The Sun's visit below SEA IT FOR YOURSELF SEA IT FOR YOURSELF Our beautiful seaside town was slammed as a rundown DUMP in viral TikTok video – but here's what it's REALLY like Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) UNIMPRESSED locals in a popular seaside town have hit back after it was labelled a "dump" in a viral TikTok video. The post, shared by Olivia Rose, includes unflattering clips of Folkestone, Kent - going on to amass a staggering 500,000 views and 24,000 likes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Shop owner Kory Redmond, who escaped city life for the quieter seaside town Credit: Stuart Brock 15 Locals like Phillip Jordan don't agree with the TikTok video Credit: Stuart Brock 15 Folkestone was recently crowned Best Place to Live in South East England Credit: Stuart Brock Clips were taken on a dull day with the sarcastic caption: 'Come to Folkestone for the bank hol they said.' The footage, from May, showed boarded up shops and less appealing parts of the town, including the Grand Burstin Hotel and dilapidated former Debenhams building in Sandgate Road. It comes after Folkestone was last year crowned Best Place to Live in South East England by the Sunday Times. Many of the almost 500 comments on Olivia's post disagree with her bashing of the town, with one saying: "Folkestone's actually a really lovely place." Another said: "Why did you go to all the horrible parts instead of the nice parts?" One person added: "Who told you to come to Folkestone for the bank holiday though realistically." However, others supported Olivia, writing: "People keep trying to romanticise Folkestone and it's literally a s***hole." Another described it as "b******s". The Sun decided to pay a visit to see what locals and visitors really think. Rebecca Greenway, 29, is among the disgruntled residents that disagree with the video. Trendy English seaside town has rooftop bar that 'feels like the Med' She said: 'They have just picked the bad areas to nitpick. You judge a book by its cover. 'It is their first impression but when you get to know Folkestone you can fall in love with it when you find all the niche little places and meet the people.' Rebecca manages the Folkestone branch of Flo's Pie & Mash, a popular spot among locals. Flo's has been in Folkestone for two years, but Rebecca has lived in the area since she was eight years old, and it is now where she is raising a family of her own. She said: 'I love Folkestone. I like the community feel of it. 'Everything is so locally based and everyone gets on as a community - I really enjoy it.' They have just picked the bad areas to nitpick. You judge a book by its cover. It is their first impression but when you get to know Folkestone you can fall in love with it when you find all the niche little places and meet the people. Rebecca Greenway Rebecca also insists that it isn't just locals who love the area but visitors also sing its praises. She added: 'I just had a customer in who has come from Ramsgate and never been to Folkestone before and he was like 'I love it'.' In reference to the controversial TikTok post, she concluded: 'They just pick the areas and just show the bad and not the good. 'When you come at the right time it is brilliant.' Local residents Melissa and Leon Reed share Rebecca's disapproval of this latest dig. Melissa, 29, has lived in Folkestone her whole life and said: 'I 100% disagree with the TikTok.' Along with her husband Leon, 24, and Tiana thir French Bulldog, the majority of Melissa's extended family also live in the area. She added: 'Nearly all my family live here, my dad is a fisherman on one of the boats down there. 'We have a little bit of everything here - sandy beaches, pebble beaches, lots of new bars. 'It's gotten so much better in recent years.' 15 Sam Brown, of Sandy's Fish and Chips, which attracts a lot of tourists in the summer Credit: Stuart Brock 15 Pals Kelsey and Karla with baby Romeo and their dogs on a stroll Credit: Stuart Brock 15 Rebecca Greenway of Flo's Pie & Mash shop has been serving Folkestone locals and tourists for the last two years Credit: Stuart Brock Other locals seem to share this belief, with one voicing: 'When you look out to sea, you think we are on the edge of England. It couldn't be a more amazing site.' Another also added: 'There are lots of things to do with the kids. They love it here.' Owner of Captain's Table cafe, Yasar Dalkilic, has lived in Folkestone for over 20 years. In response to the damning TikTok he said: 'I really strongly disagree. Back in the day it was not a very nice place to live. 'But now, I almost feel like I'm on holiday here in the summer. Everywhere has got good places and bad places - everywhere. 'The people who made the TikTok need to come and see it for themselves with their own eyes.' He added: 'The best thing about Folkestone is the fact that it is a seaside town. 15 Nearly all of Leon and Melissa Reed's family live in Folkestone and love it Credit: Stuart Brock 15 Folkestone residents have been left unimpressed after a viral TikTok called their home a "dump" Credit: Stuart Brock 15 Melissa's dad works as a fisherman in the seaside town Credit: Stuart Brock 'There's sandy beaches and it is nice and close to London.' Down the road from Mr Dalkilic's cafe is Sandy's Fish and Chip shop. A member of Sandy's staff, Sam, 27, said: "Everywhere has got good places and bad places but it depends on what you make of it. "The town is quite run down now but obviously a lot of town centres are not getting the attention they deserve and need at the moment. "But this a really nice little harbour." Local shopowners also urge people to ignore the TikTok video and come see Folkestone for themselves. Kory Redmond, owner of South East Emporium, and mother to toddler, Darwin, moved from London two years ago for a slower pace of life. She said: 'I wish we had moved sooner. 15 The owner of The Captain's Table strongly disagrees with the TikTok Credit: Stuart Brock 15 Folkestone high street is home to lots of big name brands and independent shops Credit: Stuart Brock 15 Local shopowners praised the community feel Credit: Stuart Brock 'There is a big community, people actually say 'hi' and 'good morning' to you here.' Alex, who owns the shop next door, recently launched a new beachwear business called Laes with his partner Claire. He added: 'I have lived locally for a long long time so I have seen it change a lot, and I'd say in the past ten years it has really been on an upwards trajectory. Come visit!' Adrian Harrison owns a family camera business which has been in Folkestone since 1920. In response to the video, he said: 'I wouldn't say it's a dump, I'd say newcomers rather like Folkestone. It's a nice place, there are far worse.' But one local doesn't share the views of fellow residents, as she told The Sun: 'I don't think Folkestone has a lot to offer. Look at the state of the hotel. 'The new skate park is an eyesore.' Has your town been unfairly criticised on social media? Email 15 The seaside town is located in Kent Credit: Stuart Brock 15 Alex has recently started trading in the area, with his partner Claire Credit: Stuart Brock
