Pascal Kaiser, a bisexual assistant soccer referee in Germany, has become one of the most visible LGBTQ+ figures in global football—and he’s doing it proudly with a kiss, a boyfriend, and a mission.
Since coming out in 2021, Kaiser has become a vocal advocate for visibility and representation in a sport where gay and bi men are still largely underrepresented, especially on the pitch.
The 27-year-old, who officiates in the fifth-tier Oberliga Niederrhein, may not be a household name on the international stage, but with over 170,000 followers on social media and a deeply personal story, he’s one of the most popular match officials in the world.
In a now-viral Instagram post for Pride Month, Kaiser shared a video of himself kissing his boyfriend, Moritz, pitchside at FC Köln’s RheinEnergieStadion—a bold and beautiful moment that reminded fans what queer joy and love can look like in the world of sport.
Kaiser, who lives in Cologne and proudly sports a tattoo of his favorite team’s crest, sees his presence on the touchline as an act of quiet revolution.
“I see this as my mission: to create visibility. To be a voice. And to encourage people who aren’t yet brave enough to speak up,” he told German gay media outlet Schwulissimo.
He acknowledges that coming out wasn’t easy, especially when no other LGBTQ+ referees were visible in German soccer at the time. But a local newspaper profile—and the applause he received afterward—helped him embrace his growing public platform.
When asked why he’s so open about his relationship, Kaiser fires back with grace and conviction. “When a heterosexual player talks about his girlfriend, no one asks, ‘What does that have to do with football?’ But when I talk about my partner, they suddenly say, ‘It’s a private matter.’”
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Since coming out, he says he’s felt stronger, more present, and more connected with fans—even when facing homophobia from the sidelines or online trolls. He’s heard from several other queer referees and players who are still afraid to live openly, including some from the Bundesliga.
One moment of particular disappointment came last year when a much-anticipated “coming out day” in German soccer passed without a single male player stepping forward. But Kaiser isn’t discouraged.
“You don’t just have a place—you change the place,” he says, urging young LGBTQ+ players and officials to take the pitch regardless of fear.
“It might not always be easy. You might hear things that hurt. But you will also experience how strong you really are.”
And if anyone questions why he’s chosen this path, his answer is simple and powerful: “Because my heart beats for football—and my love for myself is greater than the hatred of others.”
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