Keegan Hirst cheered as he plays first match since coming out

As Keegan Hirst took to the pitch yesterday (August 16), he became the first British rugby league player to do so as an out gay man.

The Batley Bulldogs captain was cheered as he led his team out at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium in West Yorkshire ahead of a narrow loss to local rivals the Dewsbury Rams on Sunday afternoon, just hours after coming out publicly in an interview with The Mirror.

In the moving interview, the married father of two revealed that he had decided to come out publicly after revealing the news to his estranged wife just a few weeks ago.

“I thought I’d be disowned by friends and family but I haven’t been,” he said. “The support from my teammates and other rugby league players has really surprised me, it’s all been positive.”

That support continued to roll in yesterday after the news broke, with Hirst’s fellow players rushing to congratulate the 27-year-old. Among the well-wishers was former Welsh international player Gareth Thomas, who came out himself back in 2009 and tweeted that he had offered him his support “days ago”.

I have given my support to @KeeganHirst days http://t.co/rORlGNnim4 is about him playing the game that defines who he is.#proud

— Gareth Thomas (@gareththomas14) August 16, 2015

Glad one of my best mates @KeeganHirst has told world massive support for him today. Amazing lad/dad and all round great lad. #truegent

— alex rowe (@alexrowe85) August 16, 2015

Respect to @KeeganHirst for coming out as gay. Couldn't have been easy to announce in our sport. Proud to say I know you mate! #respect

— James Green (@james_green43) August 16, 2015

Nigel Wood, the chief executive of the Rugby Football League, also congratulated Hirst on his historic announcement, but added that he didn’t feel it should even be an issue to comment on.

“Our sport prides itself on being open and accessible to all communities and I’m almost tempted to say that it’s not that remarkable,” he said. “I feel it’s hardly an issue worthy of comment because why shouldn’t a player come out and say that they’re gay?

“Particularly with a sport that is as expressive and tough as rugby league, I think there is a presupposition that would suppose that people who were gay would not be playing it, but that’s just not right.”

"It was inconceivable to me I could be gay" says rugby league player @KeeganHirst http://t.co/2pSYH0vRgA

— Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) August 17, 2015

In his original interview, Hirst expressed his hope that being open about his own sexuality might make it easier for players to accept themselves in the future.

“People keep saying I’m brave,” he said. “I don’t feel brave. I’m just talking about me. There might be other players in the same position I was. If there are I’d tell them to just be honest with themselves.”

I'd just like to say a big thankyou to everybody who's taken the time to send all these best wishes.It's very humbling and much appreciated.

— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) August 16, 2015

Also I'm genuinely humbled by all the great messages today from people and through social media. It's been fantastic. Thank you all so much

— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) August 16, 2015

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