Which Irish rugby players are gay?

RichieRich89

I'm writing a college project on homophobia in sport and I'd be interested to know people's opinions on homophobia (if it exists) in rugby in Ireland. Would homosexuals be accepted? Is the sport in general welcoming to gays and lesbians? Are there any examples of openly gay players playing professionally in Ireland, and if so, how have they been received?

B.A._Baracus

All of them. The entire steel industry is too.
They work hard.... And play hard.

BorneTobyWilde

I'm not sure any of the Irish Rugby team is homosapien .

Sanjuro

RichieRich89 wrote: »

I'm writing a college project on homophobia in sport and I'd be interested to know people's opinions on homophobia (if it exists) in rugby in Ireland. Would homosexuals be accepted? Is the sport in general welcoming to gays and lesbians? Are there any examples of openly gay players playing professionally in Ireland, and if so, how have they been received?

You're researching a project by coming to boards.ie? You're doing it wrong.

jacothelad

It's none of our business. Find some other way of studying this. Belfast Titans is a rugby team with mainly gay players. Ask them perhaps

Avatar MIA

Why rugby in particular?

It's very rare any sportsperson comes out while still playing.

One of the top refs came out though.

riffmongous

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Why rugby in particular?

Have you ever watched a rugby match? :P

Bicycle

Ask Emerald Warriors http://ewrfc.ie/about-us/

But as others have said - its nobody's business but their own. They are rugby players.

Have you got ethical approval for this? Because its the sort of issue that could potentially cause distress to some people. Its a sensitive topic.

MayoSalmon

Homophobia me hole

I remember the day Leinster played Northampton in the Heineken cup final, I was over in my sisters and a bunch of rugby following family were over.

I had brought a six pack of beer as the total of what I planned on drinking that day. They were all gone by halftime but there was plenty spare.

I drank a few more beers as the second half drama unfolded. Then my sister brought in food just as we edged in front and then someone produced shots of vodka at full time. Then someone went and got a bottle of whiskey from a cabinet that got drunk and someone did a shop run and picked up loads more alcohol.

I drank more that day than I ever drank before. I still wasn't as locked as this thread is gonna be if a single player is outed on it.

Stheno

RichieRich89 wrote: »

I'm writing a college project on homophobia in sport and I'd be interested to know people's opinions on homophobia (if it exists) in rugby in Ireland. Would homosexuals be accepted? Is the sport in general welcoming to gays and lesbians? Are there any examples of openly gay players playing professionally in Ireland, and if so, how have they been received?

Niger Owens is probably the most respected ref in the sport

FortySeven

Stheno wrote: »

Niger Owens is probably the most respected ref in the sport

Are you saying he is gay or African? I didn't know he was either.

Zzippy

Thread can stay open but if anyone so much as hints at identifying a player by name who has not openly come out, they will receive a very long ban. People are entitled to their privacy, and speculation over anyone's sexuality will not be tolerated. Discussion of the topic in general will be fine once people remember this. Any homophobic posts or bullying will also be punished with a ban.

Stheno

FortySeven wrote: »

Are you saying he is gay or African? I didn't know he was either.

https://www.google.ie/amp/www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/referee-nigel-owens-on-coming-out-and-homophobic-twitter-abuse-im-gay-in-a-macho-world-but-i-wont-10144815.html%3Famp

He came out some time ago

Same with a former Welsh player who now fronts Guinness ads can't remember his name

mansize

Stheno wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/amp/www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/referee-nigel-owens-on-coming-out-and-homophobic-twitter-abuse-im-gay-in-a-macho-world-but-i-wont-10144815.html%3Famp

He came out some time ago

Same with a former Welsh player who now fronts Guinness ads can't remember his name

Gareth Thomas

Stheno

mansize wrote: »

Gareth Thomas

I thought it was him but didn't want to erroneously name him

He did an interview with I think the guardian which was dreadfully sad to read

Kristopherus

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Homophobia me hole

An unusual way of putting things;).

mansize

Kristopherus wrote: »

An unusual way of putting things;).

how droll...:rolleyes:

mansize

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFeo2epi-Lw

FortySeven

Stheno wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/amp/www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/referee-nigel-owens-on-coming-out-and-homophobic-twitter-abuse-im-gay-in-a-macho-world-but-i-wont-10144815.html%3Famp

He came out some time ago

Same with a former Welsh player who now fronts Guinness ads can't remember his name

I did not know Nigel was gay. That is a shock. My gaydar is usually pretty good. Must need recalibration.

Great referee.

mansize

FortySeven wrote: »

I did not know Nigel was gay. That is a shock. My gaydar is usually pretty good. Must need recalibration.

Great referee.

His book is a great read, he attempted suicide over dealing with his homosexuality. It aint easy.

Stheno

FortySeven wrote: »

I did not know Nigel was gay. That is a shock. My gaydar is usually pretty good. Must need recalibration.

Great referee.

Why a shock? Why does it matter?

Bridge93

Keegan Hirst is a rugby league player who is actively playing and out as gay. He's the only one I can think of

mansize

FortySeven wrote: »

I did not know Nigel was gay. That is a shock. My gaydar is usually pretty good. Must need recalibration.

Great referee.

gaydar is a myth.

FortySeven

Stheno wrote: »

Why a shock? Why does it matter?

Oh please!

No offence needs to be taken by what I just said. It was a shock to me. Deal with it.

maximum12

mansize wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFeo2epi-Lw

I'm uncomfortable with him using his story to peddle stout.

Stheno

maximum12 wrote: »

I'm uncomfortable with him using his story to peddle stout.

I actually thought it showed a level of social acceptance tbh that a major brand showcased it

Bridge93

It was also part of a series of people overcoming adversity to achieve great things. It wasn't peddling beer on the back of being gay any more than the Shane Williams one was selling because he was short or Bill McClaren because he had TB.

swiwi_

I labelled the whole Irish team gay as after their victory in Chicago. So blithesome, so chipper, so jocund! Fair enough too, it was a jolly good show, and a positively smashing victory.

stephen_n

No Irish player has come out as gay, then again none have come out as straight either. Which is exactly how it should be. If you want to research homophobia in rugby, go talk to the Warriors. All in all though I'd say compared to other sports, rugby is quite accepting of gay players.

sioda

FortySeven wrote: »

Oh please!

No offence needs to be taken by what I just said. It was a shock to me. Deal with it.

You've never seen this clip then typical Nigel

El_Duderino 09

Bicycle wrote:

Have you got ethical approval for this? Because its the sort of issue that could potentially cause distress to some people. Its a sensitive topic.

Ah give over. OP us asking about players who are out and their experience, not asking for private information.

There was Gareth Thomas who came out shorty after retiring. He talks about it regularly and it features in his book. Nigel Owens the referee. There's a gay/gay friendly rugby team in Dublin but I can't recall the name.

I play a bit of rugby in Newcastle and the Newcastle Ravens is a mostly gay team that plays in the league.

I think in spite of the physical contact in rugby, you're likely to find less homophobia than some others sports. When a guy flattens you in a tackle, it's hard to apply the weak wristed stereotypes to them. It's a tough sport where you have to respect the opponent. Respect stems from there. That's my experience at least.

OP, why not try to contacting one of the gay teams and asking them? I'm sure someone at the club would be willing to speak with you.

CMOTDibbler

sioda wrote: »

You've never seen this clip then typical Nigel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

You did it wrong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZlFVOp4faI

sioda

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

You did it wrong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZlFVOp4faI

I know and cant seem to edit it properly stupid phone thanks

CMOTDibbler

RichieRich89 wrote: »

I'm writing a college project on homophobia in sport and I'd be interested to know people's opinions on homophobia (if it exists) in rugby in Ireland. Would homosexuals be accepted? Is the sport in general welcoming to gays and lesbians? Are there any examples of openly gay players playing professionally in Ireland, and if so, how have they been received?

As others have said, this is probably the worst place to research your project. And pretty much the laziest too.

What exactly did you think you'd get here? Somebody outing themselves? Somebody outing somebody else?

Go and actually talk to gay sportspeople. Read Nigel Ownes book and Gareth Thomas'. Talk to Emerald Warriors players. You won't get better, or more accurate information than that. And certainly not here.

El_Duderino 09

CMOTDibbler wrote:

Go and actually talk to gay sportspeople. Read Nigel Ownes book and Gareth Thomas'. Talk to Emerald Warriors players. You won't get better, or more accurate information than that. And certainly not here.

OP did get that info here. You and other posters gave it to them.

CMOTDibbler

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

OP did get that info here. You and other posters gave it to them.

He got those answers, but they weren't to the questions he asked. If he'd googled it, he would have got the same or better results.

CMOTDibbler

On a lighter note, there's also this chap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-3cuCEt9k8

cml387

Joy Neville, Irish captain, grand slam winner and now referee I would have thought would be mentioned by now.

Buer

An article that was published a few years back might be of some use.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/i-m-not-bothered-it-wasn-t-brave-1.1766974

sullivlo

Can't speak professionally but I have played with a number of teams over the years. There were several gay team members and it really didn't matter. I think they had concerns about coming out to the team, but nobody actually gave a toss - which is the way it should be and rightly so. It really doesn't matter.

I spoke to some friends about the same topic and they asked was I not concerned that they'd sneak a look at me in the shower for their own pleasure. I asked whether they're attracted to every naked person of the opposite sex, particular when they see them struggling out of wet rugby gear and in a largely mucky environment.

Are there gay high level rugby players in Ireland? Yes. Does it matter? Not in the slightest. Will people "out" them? Not a snowballs chance in hell - the teammates don't care - why should you.

Sangre

mansize wrote: »

Gareth Thomas

Gave a speech to our office as part of a LGBT initiative. It was very good.

You could tell that the guy is still very moved by the whole ordeal. He speaks very highly about how welcoming his teammates and the public were and that clearly meant a lot to him. In fact, it was how people reacted (positively) that clearly choked him up. He was obviously struggling for a long time and finally coming out must have been such a huge relief.

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

There was Gareth Thomas who came out shorty after retiring. He talks about it regularly and it features in his book. Nigel Owens the referee. There's a gay/gay friendly rugby team in Dublin but I can't recall the name.

Gareth Thomas was still playing for Cardiff and Wales when he came out. He was at the end of his career though. In fact, he told a lovely story about how the first game he played after coming out was away in Toulouse. He was bricking it. When his name was announced the French crowd gave him (and only him) a massive cheer.

Wile E. Coyote

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

As others have said, this is probably the worst place to research your project. And pretty much the laziest too.

What exactly did you think you'd get here? Somebody outing themselves? Somebody outing somebody else?

Go and actually talk to gay sportspeople. Read Nigel Ownes book and Gareth Thomas'. Talk to Emerald Warriors players. You won't get better, or more accurate information than that. And certainly not here.

Why is it the worst or laziest place to research a project? It's a RUGBY forum. It's quite possibly the best place to get a starting point on research as proven by the helpful posters who have pointed the OP in the direction of Owens, Thomas and the Emerald Warriors. It gives him a good starting point and if anyone wants to share their personal experiences with the OP anonymously then it gives them the opportunity as well. I doubt very much he's expecting a big name star to sign up and out themselves.

lawred2

RichieRich89 wrote: »

I'm writing a college project on homophobia in sport and I'd be interested to know people's opinions on homophobia (if it exists) in rugby in Ireland. Would homosexuals be accepted? Is the sport in general welcoming to gays and lesbians? Are there any examples of openly gay players playing professionally in Ireland, and if so, how have they been received?

I'm not sure this is how to go about researching such a topic.

molloyjh

Folks, just because he is asking the question here that doesn't mean it's the only research he's doing. We don't all have to start having a go at him for being "lazy" or whatever. There's a lot of people here with a good knowledge of rugby and rugby players. Richie also has an element of trust regarding the forum. So why shouldn't he use it as one source? After all there's been a decent amount of stuff provided so far, including the name of gay friendly clubs that he can talk to that he may not have known about already.

As for the question itself I don't know of any Irish rugby player that has come out. But as has been mentioned Nige and Gareth Thomas would be the 2 big names that we'd all know who have. And there has been next to no issues about it, with the exception of a handful of idiots here and there. Both still every every bit as much respect as they would have had either way. Emerald Warriors (here) are definitely worth talking to.

maximum12

Stheno wrote: »

I actually thought it showed a level of social acceptance tbh that a major brand showcased it

Of course it shows social acceptance and Diageo wants its brand associated with the feel-good aspects of the story and the team strength message which is consistent with its wider investment in rugby sponsorship.

However, let's not kid ourselves. This brand enhancement is about flogging stout and not Diageo breaking down barriers.

Btw I was specifically referring to the 30 second TV advert version of this, not the extended youtube version which is not broadcast.

errlloyd

OP there was an incidence of some significance in Australia a few years ago that is relevant to you.

A South African player (Poitgeiter I think) used a homophobic slur in a match. David Pocock called him out on it, and you see on the ref cam Pocock say something like "there could be gay people out here". Anyway, he got a ban, and as part of it he was invited to train with the Sydney Convicts, an all gay team.

Ultimately it seemed to be a positive outcome for pretty much everyone. I think that a player led campaign again homophobia started on the pitch and led by an icon like Pocock, was a strong stance. And the player in question making an effort to do something positive to make up for his actions was rehabilitating.

Pocock and his wife are committed to not marry until gay marriage is legal in Australia. (I think they have some other premarital arrangement). But he's generally a bit of a social justice warrior and environmentalist.

b.gud

There are two current players who might have been if not for the golden rule

errlloyd

errlloyd wrote: »

OP there was an incidence of some significance in Australia a few years ago that is relevant to you.

A South African player (Poitgeiter I think) used a homophobic slur in a match. David Pocock called him out on it, and you see on the ref cam Pocock say something like "there could be gay people out here". Anyway, he got a ban, and as part of it he was invited to train with the Sydney Convicts, an all gay team.

Ultimately it seemed to be a positive outcome for pretty much everyone. I think that a player led campaign again homophobia started on the pitch and led by an icon like Pocock, was a strong stance. And the player in question making an effort to do something positive to make up for his actions was rehabilitating.

Pocock and his wife are committed to not marry until gay marriage is legal in Australia. (I think they have some other premarital arrangement). But he's generally a bit of a social justice warrior and environmentalist.

I wonder would Joe Marler have gone and played with an all traveller team after last years six nations...!

GreenFolder2

I'd have generally thought rugby was one of the more progressive sports when it comes to not giving a damn whether you're into women or men.

It's soccer that still has major cultural issues with homophobia.

Why not have a chat with the Emerald Warriors in Dublin? They're specifically a very inclusive team.

El Tarangu

maximum12 wrote: »

I'm uncomfortable with him using his story to peddle stout.

If one person who is having a hard time sees that video and takes some encouragement from it, it will have been worthwhile.