July 6th 2024.
Chloe Petts can't seem to get enough of her beloved sport - and she's not afraid to show it, even if it means facing criticism from some people. In November 2023, Chloe made an appearance on Sky Sports to discuss her love for football. Little did she know, this would lead to an onslaught of online harassment. But what exactly did she say to provoke such a reaction? As it turns out, it didn't really matter.
"They just don't understand me," Chloe shares with The Agency as she reflects on the experience. "I refuse to conform to society's expectations and I express myself through my unique fashion sense and outspoken nature. And unfortunately, that seems to trigger homophobia in some individuals." This experience became the inspiration for her new show, How You See Me, How You Don't, which delves into the lessons she learned from this difficult time.
Despite the online backlash, Chloe insists that it wasn't a traumatic experience for her. In fact, it helped her gain a deeper understanding of herself, for which she is grateful. She also believes that she now has a better understanding of the type of people who engage in online trolling. "I think it's mostly men, especially those who watch that particular channel. They seem to get upset when you don't conform to their idea of what is attractive to the male gaze," Chloe says, recalling the hundreds of hateful comments she received after her appearance on the show. "I was just a woman expressing my love for football, but because I didn't fit into their narrow definition of femininity, it seemed to enrage them."
Chloe also points out that while the media is making progress in giving a platform to diverse voices, the real issue lies within the fandom. As a gender non-conforming gay woman, Chloe's appearance on Sky Sports was immediately picked up by viewers who took it upon themselves to attack her online. "There was a lot of focus on my appearance, my clothes, my speech, and my gender expression," she shares. "Even when people were critiquing my work, there was always an underlying tone of homophobia and misogyny."
But the worst part for Chloe wasn't the content of the trolling, but the constant barrage of hate. "It's one thing to receive negative comments once in a while, but when people start tagging you repeatedly and trying to ruin your day, it can really take a toll on your mental well-being," she explains. Despite trying to filter out the negativity, the unregulated nature of social media made it impossible for Chloe to escape the hate.
She has since taken a break from social media, not because she was traumatized, but because constantly seeing hurtful comments was making her unhappy. "I had never experienced trolls before. I had received negative comments, but this was the first time I was bombarded week after week by hundreds of people. It's not easy to see the same hateful individuals coming back again and again," she says.
But despite all the negativity, Chloe is determined to not let the trolls win. She's not afraid to stand up to the "meatheads" and refuses to let them intimidate her. In fact, she would do it all over again without hesitation. "I'm not going to let them push me out. Never," she declares.
Chloe also looks forward to future TV appearances, although she admits that she has some anxiety about the aftermath. But she feels better equipped to handle it now, thanks to the lessons she learned from her experience. And she's not letting the trolls stop her from pursuing her passion for comedy. In fact, her new show, How You See Me, How You Don't, is inspired by the negativity she faced and she believes it's her funniest work yet. "I always try to have the last laugh over these idiots," she says with a chuckle. Well said, Chloe.
As she prepares to hit the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Chloe reflects on the progress that still needs to be made in the football world when it comes to inclusivity. "It's not just about embracing gay people, it's about embracing all kinds of diversity. There is a certain homogeneity in football and a focus on maintaining a certain image. And that can make someone who doesn't fit into that mold feel excluded," she explains.
But despite the challenges she has faced, Chloe remains determined to use her platform to bring about change and make a difference. And she's excited to share her new show with audiences, even though it was born from a negative experience. "I believe it's my funniest work yet," she says proudly.
Chloe Petts' show, How You See Me, How You Don't, will be playing at the Pleasance Courtyard, Forth as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 31st July - 25th August at 7.00pm, followed by a UK tour. For more information and tickets, visit chloepetts.org. You can also catch her debut stand-up series for BBC Radio 4, Chloe Petts' Toilet Humour, on BBC Sounds.
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