A-lister shares message of support with first openly gay rugby star
Over the weekend rugby payer Keegan Hirst came out as the first openly gay player.
In an interview with The Sunday Mirror, he spoke openly about coming out to his teammates and how he found it challenging to come to terms with his own sexuality at times.
Keegan, 27, who plays for Batley Bulldogs and is a father of two children said that it was as if he was “letting out a long breath that I’ve held in for a long time.”
He raised by a single mother in a council estate in Batley and Keegan says that he struggled as a young man to come to terms with his sexuality:
“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.”
Finally back to a bit of normality. Training with this mob. Getting ready for @BatleyRLFC v @Doncaster_RLFC. pic.twitter.com/dGnoIeBYTn
— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) August 18, 2015
Only a few weeks ago he split up with his wife who he says blamed herself but Keegan says he couldn’t bear the guilt of it all, “of her not knowing.”
Since the news broke, many people have been sharing messages of support with the sports star. One of those being human rights activist and Harry Potter star Emma Watson.
Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation.
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015
In a series of tweets about courage, Emma proved to one of many A-list stars to show their support for Keegan’s decision to speak publicly about his personal life.
…. Physical courage is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death or threat of death,
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015
while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal or discouragement. @KeeganHirst #gotboth
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015
Another was Stephen Fry.
Massive thanks to @stephenfry and @EmWatson for the follow. Surreal or what
— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) August 18, 2015
In 2013 Emma, a UN Goodwill Ambassador with the HeForShe campaign made headlines for her speech inviting men to join the fight for gender equality.
As a #HeForShe, I'm committed to #genderequality. I invite you to stand with me. @HeForShe http://t.co/sqXFqIhxtW
— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) August 18, 2015
She continues to speak on issues of equality regularly, something which Keegan himself has recognised for a while now it seems!
