If you have ever wondered how many gay rugby players are there? This article from LGBT Football will help you out.
List of gay rugby players revealed
Mark Bingham
Mark Bingham was a gay rugby player who was one of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 that was hijacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001. He was born in San Francisco, California, in 1970. When attending Los Gatos High School, Mark Bingham was a two-year captain of the rugby team. He went on to play rugby at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a member of two national championship teams.
After graduating from Berkeley, he played rugby for the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
According to his mother, Alice Hoagland, Mark Bingham came out to her in 1991 when he was 21 years old. He was also out to his friends and colleagues. He was a vocal advocate for LGBT rights and was a member of the board of directors of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
Bingham’s coming out was not easy. He grew up in a conservative family and he knew that his parents would not be accepting of his sexuality. However, he decided to be true to himself and he was grateful for the support of his friends and colleagues.
In addition to his rugby career, Bingham was also a successful businessman. He worked as a management consultant and founded his own company, Spartacus Consulting. He was also a co-founder of the gay rugby team, the Gotham Knights.
Simon Dunn
Dunn was born in London in 1992. He started playing rugby at the age of 12 and quickly rose through the ranks. In 2014, Dunn made his debut for the England national rugby sevens team in 2014 and has since won two World Series titles.
Dunn decided to come out as gay in 2017. He was the first openly gay player to represent England in rugby sevens. Now Simon Dunn is currently playing for the London Titans. Thoughout his career, Dunn has won two World Series titles with England. He is a role model for many young gay people who are interested in playing rugby and a proof that it is possible to be both gay and successful in the sport.
Jack Dunne (rugby union)
Another name of gay rugby players is Jack Dunne, who is playing for Bristol Bears in the English Premiership and Ireland national rugby union team. Dunne was born in Dublin in 1999 and started playing rugby at the age of 12. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his debut for the Ireland national rugby union team in 2021. Sine then Dunne has won two Six Nations championships. He came out as gay in 2022 and was the first openly gay player to represent Ireland in rugby union.
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Campbell Johnstone
Campbell Johnstone is a gay rugby union player who is currently playing for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby (MLR). He is also a member of the Canada national rugby union team. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1995, Campbell Johnstone started playing rugby when he was 12 only. In 2017, he made his debut in the Canada national rugby union team and has since won two Americas Rugby Championship titles.
in 2021 Campbell Johnstone make an important decision to come out as a gay.
Nick McCarthy (rugby union)
In April 2022, young rugby player Nick McCarthy came out as a gay. He is currently playing for Leinster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and also a member of the Ireland national rugby union team. Since his debut for the Leinster senior team in 2021, Nick McCarthy has since made over 50 appearances for the province. And he has officially joined the national rugby team since 2022.
In an interview with the BBC, McCarthy said that he came out because he wanted to be “open and honest” about who he is. He also said that he hopes that his coming out will help to make rugby a more inclusive sport.
McCarthy’s decision to come out has been met with widespread support from the rugby community. Many players, coaches, and fans have praised him for his courage and honesty. His coming out is a significant moment for rugby and it is a sign of progress in the fight for LGBT equality.
Dan Palmer
Dan Palmer is a gay rugby union player who plays for Blackheath and England Gay Rugby Union. Palmer was born in London in 1994 He made his debut for Blackheath in 2016 and has since made over 100 appearances for the club. He has also represented England Gay Rugby Union at the Bingham Cup in 2018 and 2022. Palmer came out as gay in 2019. He was the first Blackheath openly gay player to do so and becomes a vocal advocate for LGBT rights in rugby.
Sam Stanley (rugby union)
Sam Stanley is a gay rugby union player who is currently playing for Darlington Mowden Park in the English National League 2 North. He is also a member of the England Gay Rugby Union team. After 3 years playing for Darlington Mowden Park, Sam Stanley came out as a gay in 2021. His coming out has helped to make rugby a more inclusive sport.
Gareth Thomas (rugby)
Born in Bridgend, Wales, in 1974, Gareth Thomas is a former Welsh rugby union player who is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. He came out as gay in 2009 and has been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights ever since.
Thomas came out in an interview with the BBC. He said that he had been struggling with his sexuality for many years and that he finally felt ready to be open about it.
Thomas’s decision to come out was met with widespread support from the rugby community. Many players, coaches, and fans praised him for his courage and honesty. His coming out was a significant moment for rugby and it is a sign of progress in the fight for LGBT equality.
Keegan Hirst
Keegan Hirst, a gay rugby league player, currently competes for the Sheffield Eagles in the Betfred Championship and represents the England Knights team. Born in 1988 in Barnsley, England, he embraced rugby league at 12, swiftly advancing through the ranks. With over 200 appearances for Sheffield Eagles since his 2007 debut, Hirst is a prominent figure. His 2014 public declaration of being gay marked a pivotal moment, as the first openly gay player in the Super League, fostering inclusivity in the sport.
Thomas du Toit
Thomas du Toit, a gay rugby union player, is currently an active member of the Sharks, competing in the United Rugby Championship (URC), while also representing the esteemed South Africa national rugby union team. Born in Durban, South Africa, in 1996, he immersed himself in rugby from the tender age of 12, swiftly ascending the ranks. Having debuted for the Sharks in 2018, his appearances now exceed 50. In 2021, he made a significant stride as the first openly gay player to grace South Africa’s rugby union arena, receiving widespread acclaim for his courageous disclosure, which stands as a commendable step towards fostering inclusivity within the sport.
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Conclusion
In a world where courage knows no bounds, these ten remarkable individuals have redefined the realm of rugby. By openly embracing their identities as gay rugby players, they’ve not only shattered stereotypes but also inspired a generation. Their determination, skill, and authenticity have made the rugby field a canvas for acceptance and unity, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s history. Through their stories, we’re reminded that true strength comes from embracing one’s true self and standing tall, on and off the field.
