Panto Time: Behind You!

Ian 'H From Steps' Watkins as Aladdin! *

Gareth Thomas as The Genie!!

Good on the New Theatre Cardiff for bringing together two of Wales' favourite gay sons for what promises to be an unmissable night of panto magic!!!

* And deffo not the paedo from Lostprophets.

Gareth Thomas: #SoBrave

It's 2015.

'Sake.

Who still thinks coming out is a big deal, never mind some kind of epic heroic Herculean struggle?

[Edit: Pink News thinks this is 'stunning'! Towleroad found it 'uplifting'! The Independent - perhaps inevitably - thought it 'brave'. Oh to be so easily pleased].

PS Presumably like Guniness's last 'gay ad' this won't actually be broadcast.

For the record, David Smith, then editor of Gay Times, and other gay journalists, was invited to a screening of the first Guinness 'gay ad' and told it was their new 'ground-breaking' 'breakthrough' etc advert. He got a phone call shortly after saying they'd withdrawn it, and could he please not write about it. LOL! etc.

The Advocate: No, I won't.
Oh, and even I know he's not a 'footballer'.

Gareth Thomas: Not Coming To A Screen Near You

WHEN Welsh rugby ace GARETH THOMAS said filmmakers could tell his life story, he’d never have guessed he’d end up on screen as an Irishman named Mick.

But Hollywood bosses have incredibly moved the story of Gareth’s brave decision to come out as gay across the water and named the film Irish Thunder.

I’m told all mention of Gareth has been removed and lead star MICKEY ROURKE, who has spoken to Gareth about the role for over three years, will instead play Mick ‘The Blade’ Collins.

Action has been shifted to Ireland over fears Americans don’t know where Wales is — and to cash in on the huge Irish population stateside.

MILLA JOVOVICH, RAY WINSTONE,VINNIE JONES and ANGELINA JOLIE’s dad JON VOIGHT will also appear alongside The Wrestler star.

A film insider said: “Gareth was upset after being cut out, but hopes the story raises awareness of how hard it is for gay sportsman to come out.

“Mickey and Gareth are great mates and this has been a real labour of love for both of them. The film is very much inspired by Gareth’s story but a lot has now been changed and action has been moved to Ireland.

“Nobody in America really understands rugby and there are fears they wouldn’t know much about Wales either.

“The film is likely to start shooting later this year and Mickey has been taking the training very seriously.” ...

The Sun.

Fagburn still has serious doubts this film - first touted five years ago - will ever see the light of day. 

Fagburn: Catch-Up

Regular viewers may know Fagburn is currently spending his weekends away, smuggling AK-47s to the brave anti-fascist freedom fighters in east Ukraine.

So sometimes, at best, all you may get up is a round-up of the most THRILLING news.

So here is a piece in The Independent that ticked all my boxes.

1. It's written by that leading gay intellectual of our age, Patrick Strudwick! See also Patrick's groundbreaking article; 'It is time for my bedroom curtains to stop being homophobic!'
#stoptthegayhatecurtains *

2. It's about Ian McKellen - of hilarious ITV gay sitcom, Vicious, fame! He is like super old and was in Lord Of The Rings, so whatever he says goes.

3. They talk about THEGAYSINSPORT! - always makes for an interesting article that. Is it the last taboo? etc etc.

4. They plug that calendar by those rather plain, but pukingly posh boys from the NAKEDWARWICKROWINGCLUB! But they love The Gays! Phwoar.

5. Gareth Thomas! Yay! He played rugby and now he gay! ibid. And he man! Not like the rubbish gay gays. Exciting times!

6. The bible. Always worth discussing what this holy book has to say about bumming, or indeed about anything, really. Historical facts? Rational thought? Meh. Fagburn will now consult his pet monkey spinning on an ouija board to see what he thinks.

Night.
x

* Strudwick - an expert on gay politics - writes of the 'near comically villainous [sic] Section 28, gagging teachers from discussing homosexuality'. Err, it didn't, dear.

Attitude: Pass The Sickbag, Gareth!

*Pukes everywhere*

Fagburn assumes this can only be a 'Springtime For Hitler' attempt to go bust.

I mean who's going to buy a magazine with Mr Gay Fugly And Thick on the cover?

PS One of Fagburn's favourite quotes from Gareth is when he told the Daily Mail, soon after he came out soon after receiving a major blow to the head; "I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost. I am a man."

So he's not a bloody poof, right! He is man. GRRR!!!

Gareth Thomas: Proud

In a frank interview with the Times Magazine, the former British Lions and Wales skipper, who is set to release his second memoir, Proud, later this month, opened up about the years of torment he felt while lying to his loyal wife Jemma, the lengths he went to to keep his sexuality a secret, and how he his now finally content as an openly gay man.

* Dressed in a WRU-issued suit, he took to the pool of his home in Toulouse, armed with vodka and pills in one of a “handful” of attempts to kill himself on the night devastated Jemma finally left him;

* He fought hard to fight his gay urges after his first sexual encounter while working as a postman in Bridgend as a teenager left him “disgusted”;

* He used away games and fake stag weekends as elaborate cover stories while picking up men in London’s gay scene;

* Diver Tom Daly turned to him before coming out publicly himself;

* He’s now in a settled relationship with “his first and only gay love”, whom he met online.

It’s five years since 40-year-old Thomas – nicknamed Alfie – revealed to an already-suspicious public that he was in fact gay and had been living a lie throughout his decorated career.

The Sunday Mirror gives its lucky readers the thrilling highlights from Gareth's Times' interview.

Thus saving us all the trouble of reading it - and indeed of reading his new book.

Strangely Mr Thomas has stopped talking about the film Mickey Rourke was (not) making about him.

Daily Telegraph.

No, not really. But thanks for asking.

Tom Daley: The Last Cliché

A friend made contact last year and said that he knew of a footballer, in the Barclays Premier League, who was thinking of coming out of the closet. Did I think it wise? How could it best be handled? What sort of backlash might he expect?

[Yeah, this happened...]

The journalist in me thought “absolutely, he should do it tomorrow and he should definitely do it in The Times”. The caring side (yes, even Fleet Street reporters have feelings) was considerably more wary on the player’s behalf, and understands why it has not yet happened after months of agonising.

Perhaps yesterday the moment when he, or another gay footballer, might dare to go public inched a little closer. Tom Daley revealed he is gay and, after more than a million hits on YouTube and thousands of supportive messages, can have felt only relief.

He did it, maturely, sincerely, with touching homeliness into a camera phone rather than a bought-up world exclusive — and, actually, his revelation may not make the slightest difference to his working life. The world of diving never struck one as brutally macho...

The Times.

Fagburn doesn't think he will ever tire of a journalist saying some gay coming out thing is "the last taboo."

A hat-trick of sports balls, rugger bugger Gareth Thomas in the Mirror (and the Times), ref Nigel Owens in the Guardian, and basketball player John Amaechi in Manchester Evening News.
Amaechi always talks much sense.
Thomas? Prfft...

Dominic Cooper: History (Boy) Repeating

The Sun, like many papers, are reporting that Dominic Cooper is now tipped to play Freddie Mercury in the Queen biopic!
Remember last month when so much media fell for a made-up story in The Daily Star quoting an "anonymous" source saying Daniel Radccliffe was going to play Freddie?
Oh, except for Fagburn.
Then Daniel told Empire it was complete bollards. 
Well, luckily there's no need to worry about this rumour.
It comes from an "exclusive" in a blog called Latina Review!
"According to a trusted source, the “rumor” is that Dominic Cooper is now circling the project."

So that's alright, then.

PS And whatever happened to that film with Mickey Rourke playing ruggger bugger Gareth Thomas...

Elton John: It's A Little Bit Funny...

The Independent.

The small print according to HitFix, who broke the story, is that Rocketman is still only "in development" - ie it might not actually be made - and though apparently "the project is out to Tom Hardy. That doesn't mean they've made him a formal offer yet, or even that he's interested, but it's an intriguing possibility."
It certainly is. 
And a great way of generating a buzz, too...

PS Funny how you never hear about that Mickey Rourke/Gareth Thomas biopic anymore, eh?

PPS 20 of our favourite staight actors who've played gay roles - BuzzFeed/CNN.com. So brave etc etc.

Gareth Thomas: Zzzzz...

At last!
Britain's two most boring gay men meet!
Yowsah yowsah yowsah!

Gareth Thomas: A Bang On The Head

"I was talking to Mickey yesterday and basically we're now talking to other big-name actors who could play the part instead.
"We had talked about using computer-generated special effects with Mickey but we don't think that will be as realistic, so it's time to find someone new."

Gareth Thomas quoted in The Sun (HRNK! Warning!!! May not be true alert! etc) on how Mickey Rourke has apparently pulled out of playing "the gay Welsh rugby star" in a biopic.
A film project that Fagburn has always suspected only exists in Mickey Rourke and Gareth Thomas's ever so slightly delusional heads.
Anyone heard what studio has signed it?
One is reminded of Peter Cook's retort to someone who told him they were writing a novel; "That's funny, neither am I."

Update: So it looks like this was made up. Gosh whodathunk it?

Matthew Parris Watch: A Cold Hand On David Cameron's Reception

"Gossip spread about who had been invited but was unable to come; who had absolutely not been invited and (worth a scandalised giggle, this) who, not having been invited, had telephoned the Downing Street switchboard to get the oversight rectified. Snorts of queeny delight greeted a story of more than one who had done so — to be told that they would be put on a standby list in case anyone dropped out. Eyes darted round the room in search of notable inclusions or omissions; brains compiled mental lists. Imaginations ranged over who might or might not be invited next time..."

Matthew Parris in The Times on David Cameron's No 10 reception for The Gays, which now seems an annual event.

Christian Louboutin & Gareth Thomas: Just Good Friends

"Rugby ace Gareth Thomas seems to have found a sole mate in shoe designer Christian Louboutin" reports the Sunday Mirror.
No, I've never heard of M. Louboutin either - apparently he designs womens' shoes with very high heels.
"The 6ft 3in Welsh rugby star and 5ft 6in French fashionista have become close pals since Gareth came out as gay 18 months ago.
"And the odd couple’s friendship has continued to blossom – as these pictures show..."
The Mirror's puntastic headline - 'Rugby ace Gareth Thomas and shoe designer Christian Louboutin fall head over heels' - hints at romance.
"The two met up at the start of the year after being introduced by friends. They hit it off ­immediately and have since met up for lunch dates and coastal walks in Thomas’s native Wales..."
This (non?) story first featured in The Mail and The Sun back in February.
"RUGBY star Gareth Thomas chats with his new sole-mate - French shoe designer Christian Louboutin.
"The burly Welshman and fashion guru Christian were spotted having lunch after striking up an unlikely friendship"
Both were accompanied by papp-style photos of them chatting in the street that look a bit posed.
Last month Louboutin and Thomas talked about their "bromance" in the Evening Standard.
Can two gay men have a "bromance"?
The Standard stresses they are "firm - platonic - friends." Adding; "Louboutin is in a long-term relationship with a landscape gardener, while Thomas is currently single."
Is two people being friends newsworthy?
The papers seem to adore this odd couple.
"What does 101kg of Welsh man meat have in common with 74kg of French aesthete?" asks The Standard - who accompany their interview with the shot of "Alfie and Louby" above, which is also used in the Sunday Mirror today.
The photocaption ends with the words; "Shoes, £725, Christian Louboutin (020 7491 0033). Louboutin's socks, his own."

Elton John Watch: Come Dine With Will & Kate

"ELTON John is planning to host the ultimate Come Dine With Me event to celebrate the royal wedding – with Kate and Wills as guests of honour.
"The star-studded guest list for the dinner party, three weeks before the big day, also includes David and Victoria Beckham.
"And as in the popular TV show, the visitors may even get to look around Elton and David Furnish’s stunning home next to Windsor Castle while the feast is being prepared...
"A source said: “Elton loves entertaining and hosting people at his home...
“'He has wanted to invite Kate and William for dinner for a while now to thank them for his wedding invitation. He always puts on the most incredible feasts fit for royalty anyway, so they should feel right at home...'"

Story and enchanting photomontage from The Mirror.
The story appears to be as badly made-up as the picture - but I'm sure you'll agree it's a lovely thought.

• The Sunday Telegraph reports in hushed tones; "Gareth Thomas, the first openly homosexual leading rugby player, has been invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding." So that's at least three homosexuals gay men attending - not including members of the royal family.

Anton Hysen: The Condensed Sun Interview

Gay Ace Hysen Is A Model Pro

...son of former Liverpool star Glenn Hysen... Swedish... enormous courage...
second professional footballer... Justin Fashanu... Steve Davies... Gareth Thomas...
wait continues for a Premier League player... sporting taboo...
plays for Utsiktens... fourth-tier team managed by his dad.... reaction extremely supportive...
'happy I did it... Don't drop the soap... has to be at least one gay footballer in England... sad...'
Ironically his father - who was also a gay icon in his playing days - was accused of being homophobic after hitting a man who groped him in an airport toilet in 2001.
'never had a boyfriend... have to like sports... quite a few proposals...'
It has certainly been a tough time for the family as Hysen's mother Helena, is divorcing her husband, who is seeing another woman.
'sad.'

Update: Nice interview with Anton on Today. His father's advice; "Just swallow it."

Fagburn Awards 26: Yawn Of The Year

Any article about gay men and sport.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Here's yet another story from today's Independent about Gareth Thomas.
Fair play to Mr Thomas, but these are always 'He's a gay/dog and he plays rugby/rides a bicycle!!!'
Wow!
It also starts with Fagburn's other Yawn of the Year; "I'm not a gay [insert your profession here], I'm a [insert your profession here] who happens to be gay..."
Which happens to be a fatuous cliche.

Here Is Today's Schnooze: Being Boring

Fagburn isn't sure what he finds more boring.
Articles about gay men and sport - here's one from The Times about Gareth Thomas.
Or articles about gay men and religion - here's one of many from The Guardian about the schism in the Anglican Church.
I just wish journalists would get real on these two beyond tedious topics.
Gay men can't and don't do sport - apart from diving and ice skating and they're not really sports, just competitive gaiety.
Let's be honest: Gareth Thomas isn't really gay. He's a freak of nature or has turned funny after getting a blow to the head or something.
The Church of England should accept openly gay bishops because almost all its clergy are gay men.
Face facts God-botherers: The Church Of England is Britain's biggest gay club.
Thank you.

Gareth Thomas: Seems Like A Nice Boy

There's a big interview with Gareth Thomas in The Observer, boldly titled; 'Gareth Thomas: The Interview'
The press love the newly out burly gay rugby player - well, he's so incongruous, isn't he?
Fagburn senses that as much as journalists are applauding Mr Thomas for being "so brave" in breaking open the sports closet, they also regard him with the same sense of shock and awe as Samuel Johnson said would greet the sight of a dog riding a bicycle.
It's good to see - albeit through mangled syntax - that; "About being gay, meanwhile, his teammates have given him no trouble at all. In fact, since Thomas came out publicly in December last year, the entire rugby community has embraced him with a love and affection..."
Although Fagburn wonders if this may also have something to do with how Mr Thomas "was renowned for being – in a famously macho sport – one of the hardest, most aggressive men on the pitch."
Thomas says he's become something of a virtual agony uncle on Twitter, and makes an important point about the two gay nations, as it were, and how mildly homophobic ribbing and banter can be taken very differently according to circumstance.
"A lot of people in London, in a larger gay community, to them it's 'whatever', because they already feel safe. But I try and think of the most vulnerable person and how it will affect them – the gay man in a small village, where all the people are in the pub are laughing at it. What message is it going to send to him?"
And it's cute how this "Welsh homeboy through and through... currently a "contented" singleton", but looking for a boyfriend, is held up by the journalist as a poster boy for wholesome values and moral virtue; "At a time when the notion of sporting role models is degraded by endless stories of philandering footballers..."
Good for him.

The Pink List 100: Sindy's List

Fagburn adores The Independent On Sunday's annual Pink List 100 of "the 101 [sic] most influential gay and lesbian people in Britain today."
Up and down this fair isle today, queens with an over-inflated sense of their own worth will be frothing at the mouth at their lowly placing - or worse - screaming that; "The clueless fuckwits have missed me off their stupid fucking list again!"
It is all but of course pink nonsense on a stick, and between you and me, I've a feeling it's not actually worked out by some incredibly complex scientific formula.
In fact, in Fagburn's experience magazine and newspaper lists - whether of the world's most beautiful men or of Britain's best new bands - tend to show bias towards names that will be headline/attention-grabbing, people of note and/or their PRs a publication wants to butter up, petty personal feuds, favours or friendships that are of absolutely no interest to anyone else, in house horse-trading, tokenism, and... "Oh, just get the student intern to bump the list up to 100."
This year two people share the number one position; as luck would have it a lesbian and a gay man.
Gareth Thomas; "Rugby player - The revelation of Thomas's homosexuality in an interview with the Daily Mail last December confirmed what had been an open secret in rugby union for years after his separation from his wife, but it highlighted the taboo over gay people in professional sport.
And Mary Portas; "Broadcaster, PR and Queen of Shops - For such a candid personality, it's a surprise that Portas has kept her private life just that for so long. Within the magazine and public relations worlds, her relationship with the fashion journalist Melanie Rickey was common knowledge, although she never discussed it in the media. This year it all changed [with] the couple's civil partnership in June – and discussion of it on Jonathan Ross's chat show and in Grazia magazine..."
Wow!
Thomas and Portas are two people who've been in the news a bit in the last year because they've come out in the last year.
But are they really the most influential gay man and lesbian in Britain today?
Gareth Thomas certainly deserves much credit and kudos for kicking open the professional sports closet.
You wonder if he's been chosen mainly because of his apparent incongruity; a gay man excelling at this most manly of sports.
A lesbian sports celebrity wouldn't have been quite as big news.
But then nor would a gay man who - as does Mary Portas - is best known for dispensing advice on shopping and style.
Fagburn shall return to look at the rest of this gripping list in a bit...

Gareth Thomas: Rugby Balls

"HOLLYWOOD hardman MICKEY ROURKE is set for his most unusual role yet - playing gay British rugby star GARETH THOMAS in a film of his life," The Sun - who are clearly having trouble with their CAPS LOCK key - reveals today.
"The actor decided Thomas would be the "perfect model" for a movie after reading a report about him "coming out".
"The two met for dinner last week after Rourke had been a guest on JONATHAN ROSS's last BBC chat show."
Really?
Reading on, you find out that such a film has not been commissioned, or even written, so I wouldn't book your tickets just yet.
Still even though this film will almost certainly never exist outside of this story, it's a handy bit of PR for the in-no-way homophobic Mr Rourke.
Here's a video of him in 2008, threatening; "And tell that faggot who wrote all that sh!t in the paper I’d like to break his f**king legs."
Charming.
An apology was swiftly issued on the plastic surgery disaster's troubled actor's behalf; "I want to sincerely apologize for the derogatory word I used. It was insensitive and inappropriate of me and I am deeply sorry that I may have offended anyone."
Did Rourke actually say that - or did a publicist write it?
At the end of last year a tired and clearly emotional Mickey Rourke was filmed by TMZ refusing to apologise for using the f-word, and bemoaning the fact you can't call faggots faggots no more.
"It ain't got nothing to do with being homosexual, if they want to label all that shit, you know? Fuck you, you know - you know what I'm saying?"
Erm, not really, no.