Zander Murray

Zander Murray plays for Bonnyrigg Rose, a Scottish Professional Football League club in League 2. The striker has scored 100+ goals and holds the club record for number of goals scored in one season at his former Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Zander’s football career began playing at Motherwell FC and Airdrie FC Academy. In September 2022, Zander became the first Scottish senior footballer to come out as gay. He is now the first openly gay player in Scottish football since Justin Fashanu, who similarly played for Airdrie. Since coming out, Zander has been passionate about being a role model to the sporting community, empowering younger people, specifically footballers, to be their true authentic selves.

Zander's hopes for LGBTQ+ equality in sport

Football has been my life and soul since I could walk. Whilst growing up, unfortunately I felt my life in football and my sexuality could not coexist. I felt that I needed to keep it hidden and fight against it for years which resulted in numerous missed opportunities and internal struggle. Fortunately, I am now at peace with myself and more importantly I have found an amazing community that I want to stand up for and be an active ally for. It is now really important that I play my part to ensure no one experiences what I did and that all young LGBT+ people know that football and any other sport is a place where they can thrive. Although my experience was difficult, I am proud to be visible and I am excited to work with Stonewall to be involved in making sports a place for all.

Follow Zander on Twitter and Instagram.

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