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Former Lions and current Cardiff Blues player says he is 'honoured' and will be hands-on
By: Stephen Unwin
Gareth Thomas came out in December
Gareth Thomas came out in December
Gay rugby star Gareth Thomas named as LGBT History Month patron
Gareth Thomas, the Welsh rugby star who came out in December, has been named as a new patron of LGBT History Month.
Sue Sanders, co-chair of gay charity Schools Out, which organises the event, announced the news at a BBC conference in central London.
Thomas, a former Lions and current Cardiff Blues player, said he was "honoured" to have been asked to give his support and stressed that he would be a hands-on patron.
LGBT History Month is held every year in February.
It promotes the teaching in schools of the contribution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture to history, including the gay and civil rights movements, through special events and lessons.
Thomas said in a statement:
Thomas said in a statement:
"I felt honoured to have been asked to be the patron of LGBT History Month. I don't want to just make this a token role, however. I intend to be hands-on within my role, not only to help make a difference to others but to also grow myself."
Thomas is one of only a tiny number of prominent out gay sportsmen and women.
Thomas is one of only a tiny number of prominent out gay sportsmen and women.
Yesterday on the BBC's Radio 5 Live, actor Sir Ian McKellen described the sports world's attitude to homosexuality as "shameful" and said it had failed to keep up with changes elsewhere.
