Ruby tui gay
Campbell Johnstone has been lauded for his public statements on his sexuality. Photo: Photosport/ Hagen Hopkins
New Zealand rugby legends have approach out in support of the first openly queer All Black.
Former prop Campbell Johnstone, who wore the black jersey in , came out publicly on TVNZ last night.
He told TVNZ he was speaking up to help take away the stigma of homosexuality in rugby.
"If I unlock up that door, and kinda make that closet magically disappear, then you know, we're going to help a lot of people."
Current and former players, coaches and commentators include backed Johnstone for going on the record.
Sir Graham Henry coached the All Blacks when Johnstone was in the side.
He described him as a very good player who made "quite a difference" in the team - but said he imagined Johnstone went through some mental gymnastics.
"Campbell's obviously thought drawn-out and hard about this, and I'm just delighted that he's got the confidence to do that.
"And if there's other rugby players with the matching sexual orientation hopefully they'll feel confident now to do the same thing as Campbell has done.
"So I think it's arrange a good example."
Sir Graham Henry, who coached the All Bla
Retired All Black, Campbell Johnstone, receives support from former coaches and players after coming out as queer in a television interview
Campbell Johnstone, a New Zealand prop who played three Tests in including two against the British and Irish Lions, has received support from former coaches and peers in the rugby nature after becoming the first All Blacks player to appear out as gay.
Key points:
- New Zealand rugby union figures have praised retired All Blacks player Campbell Johnstone's television interview in which he came out as gay
- Johnstone's former coach Sir Graham Henry was among the numerous current and former figures in the sport to speak in support
- New Zealand Black Ferns star Ruby Tui posted on social media that she had "never been prouder of an All Black, ever"
The year-old Johnstone made the announcement on a New Zealand current affairs television program on Monday, saying he had been "living a lie" and leading "a double life" before acknowledging his sexuality.
"If I open up that door and magically make that closet disappear, then we're going to help a lot of people," said Johnstone, who also played 3
NZ Rugby boss responds to Ruby Tui saga
Black Ferns will feature in the collectors’ series for the first time in , but Tui will not be among the players included in the collection after having her petition to feature a rainbow flag in support of the LGBTQIA+ community denied.
Robinson told Newstalk ZB’s Jason Pine that NZR are open to discussing these sorts of proposals, but time did not authorize for that in this instance.
"We were very aligned with Sanitarium about the consideration of this ask for, but simply, all parties involved didn’t have the time to be competent to work through that on the deadlines we had late last year," Robinson said.
"We remain very open to that possibility in the future; we’ve been very consistent on all the work we’ve done around diversity inclusion over the last months that we are really up for these discussions and that will sustain to be the case.
"We needed to work through that process and acquire the time to be able to talk about it more. In the tim
Campbell Johnstoneand Ruby Tui
Earlier this year, former New Zealand prop Campbell Johnstone announced that he was male lover. In doing so, Johnstone became the first All Black to come out, in what was a celebrated moment across the rugby community. The All Blacks posted their back on social media, and All Blacks and Inky Ferns stars also voiced their support for Johnstone.
Black Ferns star Ruby Tui is a accurate trailblazer for the Queer community, and she distributed her admiration for Johnstone on Twitter; “I attempt to fight for the rainbow every day but what Campbell Johnstone has just done for the rainbow community within rugby is probably more than I’ve ever done. Recognize you brother,”
Former All Ebony Brad Weber also supported Johnstone “influential moment for so many young people, rugby players especially, who might be questioning their sexuality”. Weber&#;s comment reinforced how the LGBTQ+ society have allies all throughout rugby, and these mighty partnerships need to maintain as the game continues to progress.
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