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Gareth Thomas defends decision to come out in Daily Mail
Gareth Thomas: Looking for love
Gay rugby star Gareth Thomas looking for love
Gareth Thomas, the Welsh rugby star who came out just before Christmas, says the Daily Mail published his interview in an attempt to reverse some of the damage of Jan Moir-gate.
Thomas – who became the first serving UK international rugby star to admit he’s gay – also said he’s looking for love.
In his first interview with a gay magazine, Gareth told Attitude, “I’ve done this as well in the hope that I can find somebody.
"The thought now is exciting; sitting down to watch telly, to cuddle up to somebody, to be able to show affection to somebody is exciting.
"Externally I may look like a tough f**ker but emotionally I’m as soft as… I’m caring. I’ve got a lot of love to give. I wouldn’t be ashamed to walk down the street hand in hand with someone."
On his controversial decision to come out to the notoriously homophobic Daily Mail, Thomas said it was nothing to do with reports that the paper was about to out him, adding, "I am sure they were aware that running this story could help reverse some of the negative press around the Stephen Gately story.
"Whether they have I don’t know [because] some things probably hurt too bad. I said to the writer at the end, if you have children, all I ask if when you read this, if it was your son would you as a mother be proud of it, if it is you’ve done it right – and my mother said she was proud of it. It’s a way of talking to their readers who may have preconceptions and show them my reality and I hope that makes them think.
"I have got no reason to come out. I haven’t got a boyfriend, I’ve got no kids, I’ve not been pressured, I haven’t been caught doing anything… none of that. I’m doing it because I want people to be able to be free to be gay."
Thomas added that the support he has had since coming out has been “amazing”.
