Yep, They're Gay (But We Knew That Already)

There’s been so much brouhaha lately about people coming out of the closet, especially sports stars (thank you, Jason Collins), that is seemed appropriate to profile some already-out-of-the-closet sports greats.

Gareth Thomas, who celebrated his 39^th birthday last month, is a retired Welsh professional rugby player.  He is the third most capper Welsh rugby union player, with over one hundred test match appearances to his credit.  Among international try scorers, he currently ranks 12^th, and is the second-highest Welsh try scorer (following Shane Williams).

Thomas was born in Sarn near Bridgend.  He married Jemma Thomas in 2001, whom he met when they were both teenagers.  They divorced in 2009; shortly afterward, he publicly announced his homosexuality.  “I don’t want to be known as a gay rugby player.  I am a rugby player, [and] first and foremost I am a man.”  In an interview with the BBC, he talked about how he hoped his coming out would mean that, in the future, “young gay rugby players would be able to come out and be accepted as a ‘talented gay rugby player,’” adding, “What I choose to do when I close the door at home has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby.”

Later that year, he was voted top of the Pink List for 2010, as one of the most influential gay people in the United Kingdom.  He later received the Stonewall Hero of the Year award, and is a vocal supporter of ChildLine, a telephone counseling service for children and young people.  Currently, he’s the co-founder of Distinct Management and Public Relations with his business partner and manager Emanuele Palladino. 

He’s played for numerous clubs, including Bridgend, Cardiff, the Celtic Warriors, Toulouse, Cardiff Blues and Wales in fullback, wing, or center positions, and retired from rugby in October, 2011.  He is often known by the nickname ‘Alfie,’ gained as a result of a resemblance to the alien title character of the sitcom ALF.  He’s also known for his signature baldness and mugging for the camera with lost teeth (which have been replaced through numerous trips to the dentist).  Thomas’ way of celebrating tries by slapping his head comes from a popular celebration among Cardiff City supporters.

Ian Roberts of Australia also had a birthday last month, his 48^th.  He play club rugby with South Sydney, Manly-Warringah and North Queensland.  He came out in 1995, the first high-profile Australian sports celebrity to do so.

Roberts made his debut with South Sydney’s Rabbitohs in 1986 and was later described as “the best front rower in the game.”  He signed a contract with Manly-Warringah in 1990, and justified his value with selection and test against New Zealand.  He sat out most of the 1996 season due to injuries and a contracts dispute, and in 1997, moved to North Queensland.  He only managed one year of play before his career wound down to increasing injuries, and played his final game in 1998.

After coming out, Roberts discussed his sexuality openly in magazines and on television.  He found the rugby league to be generally very supportive, with his fellow ruggers commenting it was important to be “true to yourself,” and he was praised for helping to question prevailing myths about gays and sport in Australia.  He was the subject of a 1997 biography by Paul Freeman titled Ian Roberts – Finding Out.

His non-rugby career has included studying at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney; appearing in the second series (2005) of the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars, and finished as the runner-up to Tom Williams; a cameo as (what else?) an ex-rugby star in the film Little Fish, which starred Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving; and he was “Riley,” one of Lex Luthor’s henchman, in 2006’s Superman Returns.  He was featured on the April 17, 2007 cover of The Advocate; and a September, 2010 criticism of Australian swimming star Stephanie Rice.  Rice referred to the South African rugby union team’s members as “f****ts” on Twitter; Roberts responded by branding Rice “a complete idiot.”  In 2012, he landed his first starring role in the film Saltwater opposite Ronnie Kerr, which is also his first role playing a gay man.

Let’s hand it to two definite role models to sportsmen everywhere, gay and straight alike, and let’s hope that more young athletes find the strength to come out of the closet and lead their lives the way they should be – embracing honestly to one’s self above all.  I personally never could have come out of the closet if it weren’t for Greg Louganis, so I know there must be someone somewhere who sees these brave ruggers as their inspiration.

Now, for our inspiration, underwear fans, here are Gareth and Ian in all their various bare-chested and underwear-baring glory!