What does it matter if someone is gay or not, regardless of the sport they play or their profession in general?

Paul Eastwood ?

Being Gay has no bearing on anything.
Warrington have a player that I thought was obviously Gay who apparently isn't and what would it matter if he was? Each to their own.

I don't see why some folks are irate about this topic.

Yeah Gareth "Alfie" Thomas has come out as gay (BIIIIG Shock! Most of Wales knew it already. It was never an issue. There is AT LEAST one other seriously good member of the Welsh - and British Lions - side who is very openly gay but hasn't felt the need to publicise it).

Alfie has wrestled with this for years. He is quite an introspective and intense person (yes I've met him) yet hasn't realised that the world has moved on.

I was told that way back in the early 70s, the Welsh and Lions great Carwyn James was also openly gay.

If nothing else, this thread highlights the fact that the Rugby League community in 2009 is confident enough in its own identity and evolved enough in its outlook to not give a damn about what players do in their own time.

Statisically you would imagine that there are at least about 10-15 gay players in SL teams.

Don't care - all I'm interested in is how good they are at playing RL.

It's hardly likely the Gay players will start dressing like Bruno or acting like John Inman! I can't believe there is actually a thread on here about it.

Really?

You think the statement publically released is not worthy of ANY comment? Even a positive one?

After endless threads about new strips (I don't care what colours they play in, I only care how they play); Stadiums (I don't care where they play, only how they play); Greg Bird (I don't care who he beats up off the field I only care how he plays) etc etc etc.

Sometimes Spooner (and those who post similarly) I don't get you. I know Alfie is a Union player and that this is a league board, but FAR more trivial postings than this run to 30-40 pages and you don't feel the need to express wonderment at their existence. My how much more evolved than us you must think you are. Do you not think that by releasing his sexuality to the press Alfie doesn't WANT people to talk about it?

The problem with trying to scrabble to reach the high ground is that you are silhouetted against the sky and make a great taget.

Because there's a legitimate discussion: given that it's a statistical certainty that there have been, and are quite likely currently, gay players – who either haven't felt able, or felt it necessary, to be open about their love lives, or quite possibly loved ones: why not?

Part of the answer is no doubt evident on this thread via, eg, Dico's 'quaint' (and I'm being generous) stereotypes.


What we won't be doing though is attempting to 'out' anybody through speculation, rumour or even supposed knowledge: any individual's decision to be 'out' would be their's alone.

Never heard that one before, I'm definitely stealing it to claim as my own! Sorry I forgot all gay people were too busy playing with feather boas, and dolls. I think you're thinking of Camp, rather than Gay. You should look up the difference.

I can't see why people are saying the thread is pointless. It merely highlights that there are no (that I can think of) openly gay rugby league players. Does this reflect the prejudice that society still holds against gay people? Compared to the dross we read on this forum I'd say it is a credible topic to discuss.

Where the h-ll did you hear that from? Utter tosh.

Gareth coming out is big news in union, why not ask the question - is it an issue in League. Clearly it's not a major issue, since enough posters think it's a non-issue, but it still is a subject of discussion as apparently "gay men lack testosterone and aren't made for our collision sport". I guess, conversely, Lesbians having extra testosterone would make them good league players ...
(Please ask a GCSE biology teacher to explain hormones)

WTF?

Anyone else smell an autobiography on the way?

It shouldn't. Nobody should feel they have to hide their sexuality but at the same time nobody should be expected to make a big thing about their sexuality and 'go public' either.