International rugby player says he is gay

D

Duncan.F

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,453
Name
Duncan
Edit My Images
Yes
A Welsh international player Thomas has said he is gay and that he seriously thought of suicide. I think its a really brave and dificult call from him but I hope it doesn't affect his playing career......

Dunc
 
Couldn't agree more, it must take an awful lot of gut to comeout and I don't really see what difference it makes to his performance on the pitch. As a Welsh Rugby fan I congratulate him for doing it and hope he carries on his awesome form on the pitch.....as he said "what goes on behind closed doors has nothing to do with what goes on in the dressing room and on the pitch"
 
:plusone: I couldn't agree more, nothing has changed, he's still the same man, still the same player and still has the same ability. At what point does his sexuality effect his ability?

a very brave and courageous move, I for one applaud him!



My parents neighbours son told his mum he was gay earlier this year, her response was to ask his dad to "Talk him out of it". I can imagine her shock, but he's still her son and still the same person he's always been.
 
Duncan.F said:
A Welsh international player Thomas has said he is gay and that he seriously thought of suicide. I think its a really brave and dificult call from him but I hope it doesn't affect his playing career......

Dunc
Click to expand...
To be honest I reckon suicide would almost certainly be the end of his playing career. I hope he doesn't go through with it.

As for him being gay, people shouldn't have to come out and announce these things. His sexuality isn't going to affect how he plays at all.
 
You'll know that sexuality is no longer an issue for discrimination when nobody feels a need to come out. All power for him to doing it.
 
This thread should be in the 'Coming Out of Focus' forum
 
I have no problem with any gender issues, but why do people feel they have to state what their preference is?
 
I think people discriminate to much, let them get on with it, as long as they are not harming anyone then let them crack on!!.

If their friends and family don't like it then they are not very good friends or family and are not woth a christmas card let alone anything else, you should always support family and friends not turn your back on them!!!!!
 
Last edited:
I still do not understand this apparent compulsion to confess your sexuality - a matter which should be private to any individual - unless I am missing something. I am happy with what I am and do not feel the need to tell the world.
 
Dispite what any-one here says, he will inevitable have the team act differently around him on the pitch and in the changing rooms for s period of time, properly for the rest of his career.

It wont effect his ability or skill, just how the others react to him.

I am not gay personally, but we did have a team member 'come out' when i was playing.
 
Nicci said:
I think people discriminate to much, let them get on with it, as long as they are not harming anyone then let them crack on!!.

If their friends and family don't like it then they are not very good friends or family and are not woth a christmas card let alone anything else, you should always support family and friends not turn your back on them!!!!!
Click to expand...

Like your choice of words - lol.
 
KIPAX said:
I agree.. nowerdays it's more a case of... so what?
Click to expand...

Except that this is not the case in the so called macho world of male dominated sports such as Rugby and football which no doubt still abounds with a large perecentage of homophobes,can you imagine a local football or Rugby club night where the "lads" are on the pull and the reaction to anyone saying sorry guys I'm into thye blokes not the girls.
Its a truly sad state of affairs but until this attitude bites the dust the likes of Gareth Thomas are going to think seriously about coming out
 
CaptainPenguin said:
Except that this is not the case in the so called macho world of male dominated sports such as Rugby and football which no doubt still abounds with a large perecentage of homophobes,can you imagine a local football or Rugby club night where the "lads" are on the pull and the reaction to anyone saying sorry guys I'm into thye blokes not the girls.
Its a truly sad state of affairs but until this attitude bites the dust the likes of Gareth Thomas are going to think seriously about coming out
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but that is utter rubbish, there are no more more homophobes within the ranks of rugby supporters than there are in any other sections of society (with the obvious exception!). A ref recently came out into the open about his sexuality, a minority did give him abuse the next time he ref'd one of our games, and those around the idiots quite rightly told them to shut up.

Our sensationalist gutter press is what turns everything into more than it should be.
 
jj_glos said:
I'm sorry but that is utter rubbish, there are no more more homophobes within the ranks of rugby supporters than there are in any other sections of society (with the obvious exception!). A ref recently came out into the open about his sexuality, a minority did give him abuse the next time he ref'd one of our games, and those around the idiots quite rightly told them to shut up.

Our sensationalist gutter press is what turns everything into more than it should be.
Click to expand...

Aint that the truth.

Imagine how much more pleasant our lands would be without them.
 
"
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainPenguin View Post
Except that this is not the case in the so called macho world of male dominated sports such as Rugby and football which no doubt still abounds with a large perecentage of homophobes,can you imagine a local football or Rugby club night where the "lads" are on the pull and the reaction to anyone saying sorry guys I'm into thye blokes not the girls.
Its a truly sad state of affairs but until this attitude bites the dust the likes of Gareth Thomas are going to think seriously about coming out
I'm sorry but that is utter rubbish, there are no more more homophobes within the ranks of rugby supporters than there are in any other sections of society (with the obvious exception!). A ref recently came out into the open about his sexuality, a minority did give him abuse the next time he ref'd one of our games, and those around the idiots quite rightly told them to shut up.

Our sensationalist gutter press is what turns everything into more than it should be. "

If what I said is rubbish how come it took Gareth until he was 35 to come out how come there are hardly any openly gay players in professionall sport its because they are scared to come out and suffer abuse from an admitted minority of fans and fellow players but still a vocal minority who still live in the dark ages,blaming the "Gutter Press" is an easy get out to a problem that needs to be adressed by those within the various major sports
 
CaptainPenguin said:
If what I said is rubbish how come it took Gareth until he was 35 to come out how come there are hardly any openly gay players in professionall sport its because they are scared to come out and suffer abuse from an admitted minority of fans and fellow players but still a vocal minority who still live in the dark ages,blaming the "Gutter Press" is an easy get out to a problem that needs to be adressed by those within the various major sports
Click to expand...

This is what I took issue with: "Except that this is not the case in the so called macho world of male dominated sports such as Rugby and football which no doubt still abounds with a large perecentage of homophobes". To me you're making a bigger issue out of this than there is, it doesn't bother me at all where his sexual preferences lie. You're basically insinuating that all rugby supporters are homophobes, which just isn't true. I can't say anything for football supporters though! :eek: :lol:

I can see the point you are trying to make, I just don't think torches and pitch forks screaming horde exist in the numbers you think. Yes there is a minority who will hurl abuse, but then there is the vast majority to whom it makes a not a jot of difference!
 
But why do people feel compelled to "come out"? What do they hope to gain? Surely, whatever your preference you will actively seek similar. You dont need to publicise your preference. You just live the life that you want, with the relationships that you want. Or maybe I'm missing something, or am just naive in these matters.
 
Duncan.F said:
A Welsh international player Thomas has said he is gay and that he seriously thought of suicide. I think its a really brave and dificult call from him but I hope it doesn't affect his playing career......

Dunc
Click to expand...
At least he is used to playing with balls - sorry bad joke
Good on him on sharing... I hope it will not effect his international playing
 
barrypriddis said:
But why do people feel compelled to "come out"? What do they hope to gain? Surely, whatever your preference you will actively seek similar. You dont need to publicise your preference. You just live the life that you want, with the relationships that you want. Or maybe I'm missing something, or am just naive in these matters.
Click to expand...

The problem is if you say nothing you are seen to be (or might feel like you are) hiding something.
 
towershot said:
All I can hear is Eddy Wairing saying "wahay, it's a up and under":shrug:
Click to expand...

:nono: That was Rugby League, dear boy. A far greater "sin"! :lol:

"This lad's a butcher - but I've never had any of his meat." - Eddie Waring. :gag:
 
photon said:
:nono: That was Rugby League, dear boy. A far greater "sin"! :lol:

"This lad's a butcher - but I've never had any of his meat." - Eddie Waring. :gag:
Click to expand...

A far greater sin perhaps, but RL is a sport that has always been more accepting to peoples differences than RU, which is probably why it's much bigger news. For 1st openly gay 'rugby' player, see RL, for first black international 'rugby' player, see RL, for the 1st asian international 'rugby' player, see RL. I suppose RU lack of acceptance of RL for 100 years, and their attempts to kill the game during that period, helped ensure that RL never followed a similar biggoted path as the RFU....
 
The problem is if you say nothing you are seen to be (or might feel like you are) hiding something.
Does that not indicate a feeling of uncertainty?
 
barrypriddis said:
The problem is if you say nothing you are seen to be (or might feel like you are) hiding something.
Does that not indicate a feeling of uncertainty?
Click to expand...

No not uncertainty about their sexuality but about how loved ones and colleagues would react. This guy did something brave and to publicise it, this would be better than getting it splashed across page 3 when he is photographed with a boyfriend.
 
No not uncertainty about their sexuality but about how loved ones and colleagues would react. This guy did something brave and to publicise it, this would be better than getting it splashed across page 3 when he is photographed with a boyfriend.
Click to expand...

this and also... finding a partner would be significantly harder if people didn't know that you're interested in guys as opposed to women, apparently some gay people are not keen to date closeted people because of the secrecy involved.

on a plus note, it's really good that it is now just a case of 'so what', that's how it should be :)

his story was sweet and brave, though you do have to feel sorry for his wife :(
 
I am obviously missing somethingas I still do not understand this apparent compulsion to declare your sexuality.In the same way I don't understand the need to celebrata your sexuality by holding public events and demonstrations. I have no problem whatsoever with consenting adults doing whatever they like together behind closed doors, and that is regardless of sexuality or preference. But this need to declare your preference to all and sundry is beyond me. If you are happy with the relationship that you are in, then there should be no need to feel ashamed or defend that relationship. True friends will always support you. Those who don't, perhaps do not merit to be called a friend.
 
candlestick said:
A far greater sin perhaps, but RL is a sport that has always been more accepting to peoples differences than RU, which is probably why it's much bigger news. For 1st openly gay 'rugby' player, see RL, for first black international 'rugby' player, see RL, for the 1st asian international 'rugby' player, see RL. I suppose RU lack of acceptance of RL for 100 years, and their attempts to kill the game during that period, helped ensure that RL never followed a similar biggoted path as the RFU....
Click to expand...

Jimmy played for England (1906) before George was even born (1913), granted we didn't have another black player for nigh on 80 years though! RL and RU have both tried to usurp the other, RU has no more tried to kill RL than RL has tried to kill RU.

I'm in a "niche" position as being a union fan born in Gloucester, so not part of the union upper class at all, but being firmly in the south west having no real connection with RL either. We like being derided by the rest of the union though, who wants to be popular (with Sky or RFU HQ!) :)
 
Not to mention that RU is infinitely more exciting to watch and arguably a more physical game to play :D
 
jj_glos said:
Jimmy played for England (1906) before George was even born (1913), granted we didn't have another black player for nigh on 80 years though! RL and RU have both tried to usurp the other, RU has no more tried to kill RL than RL has tried to kill RU.

I'm in a "niche" position as being a union fan born in Gloucester, so not part of the union upper class at all, but being firmly in the south west having no real connection with RL either. We like being derided by the rest of the union though, who wants to be popular (with Sky or RFU HQ!) :)
Click to expand...

Gloucester is one of the few 'working class' RU clubs, and I certainly appreciate they probably don't subscribe to the biggoted tendancies of the RFU, however to say that RL has tried to kill RU is simply nonsense - can you give some examples?? From a RU perspective, I'll start with the ban of RL players from playing RU even at amateur level for 100 years, with in some cases player records being removed after a code switch to RL (I'm sure there's a club, possibly Huddersfield RU, where a player was 'painted' out of a photo because he chose to play RL). Many players who chose amateur RL were banned from even entering RU clubhouses for playing the wrong code. Next up, whatabout a ban of RL in the armed forces, which was only rescinded after RU went professional, thus ensuring that RL was confined to the northern 'underclasses'. How about the French RU association seizure of RL assets including grounds etc under the Vichy regime, which French RL was never compensated for, not even an apology in fact!

Would you like any more examples?? I have little problem with RU as a sport, and I appreciate that at grassroots and within certain clubs like Gloucester, they have no affinity to the old school at Twickers, however, there are many clubs that do. To suggest that RL has ever tried to kill off RU is ludicrous - RL has been trying to kill itself off for years, and hasn't even managed that!!! :D
 
TriggerHappy said:
Not to mention that RU is infinitely more exciting to watch and arguably a more physical game to play :D
Click to expand...

When I watch rugby, I like to watch trys being scored - in RU at the moment, only the All Blacks seem capable of this, so I'll stick to the positively unexciting RL thanks all the same. If I want to watch penalty shootouts (which the Guinness Premiership seems to be this season) I'll watch football instead!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top