Most of the time it doesn't but sometimes it does.

Given that there clearly are gay players at every level of the game I was merely wondering whether they remain relatively unknown because of stigma or because, they deem it irrelevent or some other reason.

That some people think it not even worthy of debate is rather staggering.

We can gloss over it as best we want. Some people in this country are very bigotted and still live in the dark ages. Why a person's sexuality needs to be anyone else's business is beyond me. A person is a person and whatever they do in their private life has nothing at all to do with the general public. I understand why Gareth has come out and I understand that young homosexual Rugby players can look up to him and see him as an example that it isn't wrong to be who you are. But the fact is we shouldn't be having to look for a top name to come out to make people think it's 'ok to be gay'. it's okay to be whoever and whatever you want, aslong as you're not hurting another human being in the process I say be who you want to be.

In your beloved 'real world' unfortunately, the actual evidence disagrees with you and says that there are far too many occasions when someone's sexuality is the precise and sole reason they are assaulted and sometime killed (though I can't think of a single occassion when it was because of their heterosexuality)

If only there was more people like yourself out there.

Would last week's "honour" killing court case qualify as an example? Vile, inadequate human beings don't just pick on gays.

Not really. The murder didn't happen because the victim was straight.



No. But they do 'pick on' them.

wouldnt it only be something to worry about if there were no gay players?

Statistically it is obvious there should be, so if there isnt, why not?

IMO it's not a bad thing if there are no gay RL players. As long as we ensure there are no barriers to those would did want to, it doesn't actually matter that there aren't any.

Agreed, although it would be nice to know there are a few within the community to show that they are welcome within.

This whole thread has been summed up as we as fans don't care what you are. So why does thus keep rolling on players probably havn't come out as they don't feel they should. They may not be out to the public but some are probably out to their mates. If yiur mates are with you who cares what the public thinks

That there aren't any openly gay players suggests that there are barriers. Either to gay people becoming players or to players who are gay being open about it (probably both).

I'm led to believe lots of lubrication is essential to be certain of this - sorry, couldn't resist!!

On a serious note, in such a macho sport as RL there are many reasons why players may not want to 'come out' don't want to be the first, what will team mates/fans think, will there be a backlash etc.

IMO as many others say, if nobody is being harmed or hurt against their will, who cares.

When I played, two of the lads were as thick as thieves off the pitch. Nobody really cared but most of the lads thought they were gay. They didn't actually 'come out' when they finished playing but they are openly a couple and have been for donkeys years.

Anyway, could this thread not be merged with the Ryan Bailey thread?

Dig the sentiment but children at a pride march??