Keegan Hirst, a player in England's rugby league, has come out publicly as gay. From the Sunday Mirror:
Speaking for the first time about coming to terms with being gay, Keegan adds: "I had a wife and kids. I've been a builder, doorman, worked in factories – I play rugby.
"I tick every macho box. How could I be gay? I'm from Batley for goodness sake. No one is gay in Batley."
And he reveals: "The only time I felt free of the torment was when I stepped on the rugby pitch. Now I feel free."
Keegan hopes his decision to be open will help others in the sport who might be fighting with their emotions.
Hirst opens up in detail about being married and the challenges being closeted caused his marriage and his wife. It’s a powerful story of the struggles homophobia creates for non-LGBT people. Be sure to head over to The Mirror to read the full story.
It's also great to see Hirst so hopeful of inspiring others to live their lives openly. This is a recurring theme we hear from virtually every LGBT person in sports who decides to come out publicly.
Hirst, 27, plays for the Batley Bulldogs.
