It’s very rare for a top level sportsman to come out during his career. So it’s a great day when Gareth Thomas, a Welsh National Rugby player has come out saying “I’m not going on a crusade, but I’m proud of who I am. I feel I have achieved everything I could ever possibly have hoped to achieve out of rugby, and I did it being gay. I want to send a positive message to other gay people that they can do it, too.”
Top level sport needs more athletes to be open about who they are, just as we need movie stars and business men and politicians to come out too. Why? To prove that we are capable, successful, intelligent people and not second rate citizens who don’t deserve equality.
Congratulations to Gareth and I wish him all the best and thanks. As he says, young kids need role models to know they aren’t the only ones out there.
I’m so glad he did it! it’s really rare to do so WHILE still playing. and also it was great to read that the coach and teammates were supportive.
Unexpected and lovely. I never thought gays were second class citizens. If anything we’re better than other people ;P
Yeah, it’s a great move from this guy to come out … he’s obviously dealt with all the issues we nearly all endure and has come out strong (but not without bruises…)
Slightly disappointed by the following article in The Times however -which paints a far more rosy picture for gays being accepted than I think is really the case. Yes the world has come a long way over the past few years, but there is still a great deal of intolerance out there …
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/simon_barnes/article6963409.ece