On International Women’s Day, the first thing I can say is I feel lucky and privileged to be playing football at this moment in time. No longer is there the perception that this is just a men’s sport and today, playing in the Women’s Super League for Chelsea, I have the opportunity to become the best that I can be.
Indeed the women’s game here is the best it’s ever been and this summer will bring even more attention when England hosts the Women’s EURO. My Sweden team has our first game against the Netherlands at Bramall Lane and with other venues like Wembley and Old Trafford, these big stages are what you dream of – walking out in a stadium filled with people cheering for you. In short, it’s an exciting time though that’s not to say everything is perfect.
I feel we must still do more and the same applies, in a broader sense, when, as a gay woman, I look out at society. That’s why for this International Women’s Day, I’ve made a short film with my partner, Pernille Harder, to promote diversity. It’s called “Love Always Wins” and it shows us just like any other couple, giving a snapshot of our everyday lives. I felt a bit nervous making it as it’s different from anything I’ve done before, but we want to show, as the film’s title goes, that love always wins.
This #InternationalWomensDay and every single day, #LoveAlwaysWins
— Magdalena Eriksson (@MagdaEricsson) March 8, 2022pic.twitter.com/OW9tWaIkWe
Whatever obstacles we have faced in terms of other people’s opinions about who we love, we want to show the importance of being yourself and standing up for what you believe in.
When I was growing up, my dad taught me about having morals and sticking to your values and, above all, he taught me to treat others the way you want to be treated yourself. It was an expression I remember hearing constantly and it has stuck with me and is something I try to live by.
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Misogyny should become a standalone criminal offence in Scotland, review finds08 March, 2022There are women all over the world who face adversity – it could be because of their gender, their sexual orientation, their background. To take that intersectional perspective, if you are a woman, you have your issues; if you are a gay woman, you have additional issues; and if you are a black, gay woman, you face even more issues. However, we should never forget that everyone has equal value.
So beyond football, my hope is to somehow help make the world an easier place to grow up in, and a place where people can accept themselves. Truly, everyone is okay the way they are. And any young gay woman out there who may be feeling adversity should know you’re not doing anything wrong – it is about who you love.
Magda Eriksson is the captain of Chelsea FC Women’s team, a Sweden international and columnist for i
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