Nigel Owens: My Struggle

Daily Telegraph.

There are also celebrations of our Nigel in the Mail, the Mirror, The Sun, and The Times.

Verily, this is a 'breakthrough moment' and the world will never be quite the same again.

All bemoan rugby union's homophobia, without pointing out the obvious; in England it's played by posh Hooray Henrys.

Most of the articles relying on this interview, 'Nigel Owens on the pressure of refereeing the Rugby World Cup - and his struggle with his sexuality', with Radio Times, and an old interview with WalesOnline.

Like many, Sport 24 give us a list of The Best Quips - And Put-downs - Of Nigel Owens; 'Shut that door!', 'What a gay day!', 'Look at the muck in here', 'A handbag!' etc.

Too many cliches in this Independent article to count...

Media Studies: The First Rule Of Gay Journalism

Gay Star News, obvs.

Is to be easily pleased.

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 He got a phone call shortly after saying they'd withdrawn it, and could he please not write about it.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'.

Rugby: Another Bloke Comes Out (As Gay)!

Someone else we've never heard of til today has come out as a gay.

Apparently he plays something called the Rugby Union.

So brave etc.

Here's some stuff we read in his Sunday Times interview and saw on Wikipedia...

Gay Star News.

PS One also suspects Pink News hadn't heard of Oliver Sacks when they woke up this morning...

Update: GSN did a piece showing he'd been posting pictures of him and his 'other half' for weeks before he 'came out. Amazing what you can find on the internet.

'Rugby Hunk': I Mean Where Do You Even Fucking Start With This Mess?!!

TATTOOED rugby hunk James Haskell poses with a rainbow splash over him as he calls for sport to accept people of all sexualities. The England star, 30, — dating Chloe Madeley — rapped homophobia in an interview with Gay Times, on sale now.

 The Sun.

Rugby: #SoBrave etc

The Guardian online.

Keegan Hirst: Who???

It's always jolly exciting when a sportsman comes out and no-one knows who they are, innit?

#sobrave

'He plays for the Batley Bulldogs!?? Why, they're my favourite rugby league or is it union team!'

PS Oh crap! Everyone's going to dust off their 'Gays & Sport: The Last Taboo?' articles. *runs for cover*

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. 

Homophobia: Get A Grip

A self-confessed Telegraph journalist attends a rugby match and overhears another fan slagging off out referee, Nigel Owens, and using the word 'gay' as an insult.

Thus proving - and I shit you not - that 'Britain remains in the grip of homophobia'!

Bravely, and seemingly without a thought for his own safety, our valiant hack turns round and tells him off.

First they came for the gay rugby referees...

Those who use racist, homophobic or sexist language may try to brush off those who would hold them to account by crying “PC!”. But this has nothing to do with political correctness. It’s about exercising basic respect for each other and the identities none of us should feel ashamed about. At school my hair was even redder than it is now and I was teased relentlessly. I ended up peroxiding it at university and then, during my years as a BBC presenter, shaving it, influenced in part perhaps by the insults. But you can’t peroxide your sexuality [Eh?]

It may be easy if you haven’t been bullied or experienced life as a minority to fail in your empathy for those who have. But we should all aspire to live in a world where decent values aren’t just upheld by the law but by each and every one of us.

So brave.

The Telegraph is the last place you expect to read wanky 'bleedin' heart' liberal patronising guff like this.

Truly, the times they are a-changin'.

Though not necessarily for the best.

Gay Rugby Ref: So What?

'So what?', indeed.

I look forward to not reading this article later...