The former New Zealand rugby player Campbell Johnstone has become the first All Black to come out as gay, saying he hoped to ‘take away the pressure and the stigma’ of doing so publicly
His ‘strength and visibility will pave the way’ for othersPhotograph: Matt Impey/REX/ShutterstockPhotograph: Matt Impey/REX/ShutterstockThe former New Zealand rugby player Campbell Johnstone has become the first All Black to come out as gay, saying he hoped to “take away the pressure and the stigma” of doing so publicly.that he had told friends and family “a long time ago” that he was gay.
“Within myself, I was never really comfortable with the whole concept,” said Johnstone. “My dream was to be an All Black.” His vision of a player for the national side, he added, was someone who was “manly, strong…possibly had a wife, kids”, and he blamed his sexuality when he played poorly.The former prop played three Tests in 2005 – with his last match against the British and Irish Lions. Between 2002 and 2012, he made 38 appearances for the Crusaders, 72 for Canterbury and 105 for the French side Biarritz.
Johnstone was “a little bit sad that we are actually having to do this”, he said in Monday’s interview. “But if I open up that door and kind of magically make that closet disappear then we’re going to help a lot of people,” he added.New Zealand’s sports minister, Grant Robertson, who is also gay, said Johnstone had blazed a trail for the national team – which is dominant on the world stage, venerated at home and has become a multi-billion dollar global brand.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US police disband unit after death of Black man following traffic stopA day after the public release of video showing the horrific police beating of Tyre Nichols in the US, the Memphis police department announced it is permanently deactivating the unit to which five of the involved officers belonged. 9News
Read more »
US police disband unit after death of Black man following traffic stopA day after the public release of video showing the horrific police beating of Tyre Nichols in the US, the Memphis police department announced it is permanently deactivating the unit to which five of the involved officers belonged. 9News
Read more »
Black lawmakers urge Biden to push police reform after Tyre Nichols deathCongressional Black Caucus calls for meeting with president as protests over Nichols’s killing by police in Memphis continue
Read more »
Race storm erupts after Andrea Riseborough’s best actress Oscar nominationThe To Leslie star’s unexpected nomination has led to claims of exclusion of Black performers and a revival of the OscarsSoWhite hashtag
Read more »
Oregon woman awarded $1m over racist discrimination at gas stationAttendant repeatedly dismissed Rose Wakefield as she attempted to get his service and told her, ‘I don’t serve Black people’
Read more »
Emergency workers and bystanders praised for rescue of man caught in ripMembers of the public and emergency services workers who performed CPR for more than 90 minutes on a swimmer rescued from a rip have been praised for their efforts by police.
Read more »