Rugby League star Keegan Hirst comes out as gay
Keegan Hirst has come out as gay.
The Batley Bulldogs prop, 27, became one of the first players in his sport to open up about his sexuality, and his battle with the āmachoā image of Rugby League. He is the first British player to come out as gay while playing the sport, although he is second openly gay Rugby League star in the UK.
Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the sports star said: āAt first I couldnāt even say āIām gayā in my head, let alone out loud.
āNow I feel like Iām letting out a long breath that Iāve held in for a long time.ā
The player added: āI had a wife and kids. Iāve been a builder, doorman, worked in factories ā I play rugby.
āI tick every macho box. How could I be gay? Iām from Batley for goodness sake. No one is gay in Batley.ā
āThe only time I felt free of the torment was when I stepped on the rugby pitch. Now I feel free.ā
His revelation is not without pain ā he told his wife about his sexuality āa few weeks agoā, and the pair are now going through a separation.
He said: āShe blamed herself when we Āseparated but I knew sheād done nothing wrong. I couldnāt bear it any more, the guilt of it all, of her not knowing why I left. It was eating me up.ā
āWe havenāt told the kids yet, theyāre too young to understand. Iām not sure how Iād explain it.ā
The player also revealed he considered taking his own life, saying: āOn the worst days Iād think, āI canāt do this, Iād rather be dead than for it all to come outā.ā
Gareth Thomas came out in 2009 while playing Rugby Union and moved to Rugby League in 2010. Australian Rugby League player Ian Roberts came out on 1995.
