Gay Manly player is left ‘devastated’ by seven stars boycotting game over NRL’s first pride jersey – Daily Mail
The fallout from pride-gate at Manly continues, with reports a young gay player has been left ‘devastated’ by his teammates’ decision to boycott the NRL club’s historic Everyone in League jersey.
The Sea Eagles will roll out the rainbow strip in Thursday night’s NRL blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters in a first for rugby league in Australia.
Christian Tuipulotu of the Sea Eagles is one of the players reportedly boycotting the game
While the move was designed to promote inclusiveness, it has created more division than ever in the playing ranks with Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula, Christian Tuipulotu and Toafofoa Sipley to boycott the match.
The players are refusing to wear the Everyone in League gay pride jersey because of religious and cultural beliefs.
That has had an enormous impact on at least one player, with Wide World of Sports reporting that a young Sea Eagle who is gay, but has not come out publicly, has been left shattered by their decision.
Former Manly player Ian Roberts is the only openly gay man to play first grade
A close friend of the player said it was his dream to play first grade for Manly, but now he is not so sure.
‘He is a good young player coming through the grades and just wanted to play first grade for Manly,’ the friend said.
‘But this move by the players has shocked him. He thought they would accept him for who he is if he ever decided to make his sexual preferences public – clearly that is not the case.
‘He has been devastated by this turn of events. The pride jumper is supposed to be a sign of hope and inclusion.
‘The fact that half the team would boycott it rather than play has deeply saddened him.
‘They have no problem supporting gambling on their jumpers, which is a sin according to the Bible. But when it comes to homosexuality, they have a problem.’
In the 134-year history of first grade rugby league in Australia only one active player has ever publicly confirmed they are gay, former Manly hardman Ian Roberts.
He said decisions like the player boycott would have huge impacts on young LGBTIQA+ people who supported the club.
‘It’s sad and uncomfortable. As an older gay man, this isn’t unfamiliar. I did wonder whether there would be any religious push back. That’s why I think the NRL have never had a pride round,’ he said.
‘I can promise you every young kid on the northern beaches who is dealing with their sexuality would have heard about this.’
‘LGBTIQA people have always been a part of sport but haven’t always been allowed the visibility.
‘I have been trying to get the NRL to have a pride round for the past three years and it still hasn’t got the traction it deserves. It saddens me because they think having a float at the Mardi Gras is enough and it’s not.’