... and if he fell in love with another women and left his wife would he equally feel your wrath?

Yep.

Well then he's hardly an isolated case in this world, let alone the game of RL. It just that coming out and been a pro sports gathers more media attention than most. I'm guessing he didn't decide he was gay after marrying his wife and having two children. Probably came to terms with it after probably denying it from himself. It would probably be crueler to carry on regardless. I might be wrong but I thought I read Hirst and his ex are on good terms with each other.

No.

I highly doubt he "decided" he was gay. Rather, I understand that he felt he had to repress our outright deny that part of his identity because of his sport and the machismo expectations placed on him. It will have been upsetting for him and his family when he came out, but it was also a huge step for him, and for gay men and women in sport.

If it helps, his ex-wife is now proud of what he's done and he's an excellent ambassador for LGBT rights. And being gay won't stop him from loving his kids either.

The thing that's morally wrong is that professional athletes feel they can't be themselves for fear of abuse or ruining their careers. See Justin Fashanu. Thankfully, society is making better progress now, even if there's still some way to go.

Looking forward to seeing Hirst in a Wakefield shirt and I hope it helps to promote RL as an inclusive game, and that there won't be idiots in the stands spouting bile.

I feel sorry that the guy having to suppress his sexuality. However, at what level do you think it is right to lie to someone for many years, marry them and have kids; knowing full well you are gay. And to add insult to injury brag about the fact in the national media while they are left heartbroken? Eh is it just me? Maybe I need to look at myself!!

And for what it's worth this is not an attack on gay people....

Bragging? What a strange thing to describe it as.

Well his ex appears to have got over it, maybe you should too? It's called life, many people have affair, many people cheat (although I don't think Hirst did cheat). Life isn't black and white and the only people Hirst will have truly hurt now act as a rock for him. It's really not for us to be morally outraged for them.

No the scariest thing is that yours made it at all - learn to respect the views of others fool

Are you sure? Can't help but feel if he wasn't you wouldn't be making a fuss.

People can have what ever views they want, it's their right, but I certainly don't have to respect everyone of them.

This...

Pot and Kettle

Not really.

See it's post like this that really annoy me. When you can't win the argument acuse someone of an ism or a phobic because it's easy.

How the hell was it an attack on gay people - what it is more than anything is a personal attack on Hirst morals. Personally I don't think that's a RL related issue but then it's also very fair to say that Hirst has gone out of his way to make it so - anyone going to deny that?

RL has always had gay players Hirst is not the first - he just happens to be the first to make it an issue of sorts. He's chosen that nobody made him or frankly cared so I think it's fair that he gets a certain amount of scrutiny both good and bad else why did he even bother. Again I challenge anyone to argue that he actually needed to publicaly out himself in a national newspaper it's not like it He needed to do it for his career.

Tbf Gareth Thomas when he came out & came over to pay RL was a far bigger news story. The guy was on every talk show, newspaper etc.

Saying all this here we again talking about what the guy does in his private life.

Which is my point - I am certain if Hirst wasn't gay there'd be no mention of his "morals". Personally I think this was worse than what Tigerade said. With regards to outing himself in the newspaper I'm sure he did more in the mindset that you shouldn't stop yourself playing RL or sport in general regardless of your sexuality.

I'm fairly sure he didn't 'decide' he was gay. The person he was lying to most was himself. It's a shame that just being gay is even news in the 21st century, but it shows how far attitudes still have to change. How many professional sports people still have to lie about who they are in order to continue in their chosen career?
Fair enough if you have strong views on the sanctity of marriage, particularly where kids are involved, and I would agree with you that it seems some couples give up too easily, even if there is much less stigma for the kids than there used to be. However, this is not really about lying; it's about being honest.
I am somewhat unconvinced that your views are not skewed by the particular circumstances. I was sure you'd have lots to say about the recent incidents at Cas and Huddersfield involving players which caused family problems, but apparently not.

Joined 19 Apr 2013 - 12 posts:
2 about a possible stadium share with cas
2 about the recent car accident involving Wakefield players
1 nominating Miller as PoY
and 7 on this thread...

I smell troll.
We do miss Tigerade.

Post irregular I do, troll I am not, hide behind a username I don't. However, lying to someone, or as you put it deciding to be honest, could be one in the same so we agree there.... And just to be clear, in the post you quote, the use of the word 'decided' was used with facetious intent. You see this is my whole point, it's wrong to marry someone of any sex when your only attracted to the opposite, lie to them and then have kids. If that's a 1950's view, then yes I am stuck there.

You speak about me in a manner that leads me to believe I have seriously offended you, or acted like a biggot. Why? because I believe in been honest and not hurting others...

You believe in being honest and not hurting others. What if being honest also hurts someone else? You asked for examples of life not being black and white - there you go.
You should be applauding Hirst not not making judgements about his morals.

Furthermore, Hirst going to the press, telling his story and revealling what he's put his family through may convince other player's (and people in general) to actually come out and not live a lie in fear of abuse and non acceptance. That way then don't cause the hurt he did.

People get married, have kids, then change with age, for whatever reason, even sexuality. It's life, get on with it. He and his family and ex wife seem to be.

I'm sure I read somewhere that the media contacted him in the first instance, as they'd been tipped off and were about to break the story - so he made a decision to control the narrative so it didn't become salacious.

I would imagine that his motivation was based on a desire to protect his family, and to help other LGBT people who might be in a similar predicament; it's hard enough for a young person to be open about their sexuality if it's anything other than hetero, let alone in the macho world of rugby league, so fair play to him. Some people are like that Vasty - they actually give a $h1t about things. And given that his wife is very supportive and he still has a relationship with his kids, it would appear that the personal aspects have all been handled very well - such that it's actually nobody else's business.

As it stands now, he's an out and open gay RL player who plays for WT; and as the evidence of this week has shown, small-minded people will take pot-shots, disguised as 'banter,' 'jokes' or 'just their opinion' - and then be outraged about the PC world gone mad when they are taken to task or modded for their offensive comments.

Again - we stray way off topic and 'unsavoury' comments pop up.

Is this going to be a constant theme re: Keegan?

Sigh.

So, I want to be fair on this subject so discussion is ok but this thread has again gone from a discussion about leadership and presentation skills in the media to issues on morals.
No one is banned, but let's just assume none of us know what this particular player does in his private life, or why he chose to public discuss his lifestyle choices.

The point was raised in the thread to say...paraphrased... 'would it be a discussion point in a same sex relationship'? That's where it crosses the line.
Time has moved on. I realise it's a hard subject and media make it worse by jumping on either the political correctness or the homophobe name calling trend but we all have to contend with that.

Let's just stick to the rugby and leave those free speech discussions for elsewhere please.