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Out gay rugby player Gareth Thomas has spoken of the approval his team-mates have shown him for coming out.
By: Nigel Robinson
Gareth Thomas: "i love them taking the piss"
Gareth Thomas: "i love them taking the piss"
Gareth Thomas's team-mates approve his coming out
The former captain of Wales and the Lions who now plays for the Super League Crusaders team came out as gay in December 2009.
In an interview in today’s Guardian, Thomas reveals that when he first joined the Crusaders in March 2010, his team-mates awkwardly avoided the subject of his sexuality, until he encouraged them to tackle the subject.
“'Boys,' I said, 'I so respect the way you've handled this. But it's OK – you can talk about it,'” he told the newspaper.
“It was such a respect thing they showed me but it's much better now.
“Since then many of them have sat me down, one to one, and said: 'Mate, we've got so much time for what you've done. It's so brave, so powerful.'”
Thomas also told the newspaper that he enjoys his Crusader teammates making fun of his being gay.
“I love them taking the piss. We've got another Australian on the wing, Nick Youngquest, and he's a gay icon. He's been on the cover of Attitude but he's comfortable in his [straight] sexuality.
“It still gives the boys a laugh because they say to me: 'Oooo, he's not so happy now you're taking over.'
“Me and Nick are good mates and we'll walk in the room together and someone will shout: 'Here come the girls!'"
However, Thomas has also revealed to the Daily Mail that he had been hurt by homophobic abuse from Castleford Tigers fans at a Super League match last month.
"I could hear some chants from a small section of the crowd. It wasn't very nice and I was pretty hurt by what I could hear. I'm only human," Thomas said.
The RFL has taken action against Castleford for the homophobic behaviour of some of its fans.
