Gareth Thomas

The Justin Campaign, an organisation that campaigns against homophobia in football have offered their support to British Lions rugby legend, Gareth Thomas for taking the risk and making his sexuality public knowledge.

A spokesperson for the Justin Campaign said:
"Gareth’s courage and bravery sends out a very important message to the sporting industry and it’s supporters. It’s a common misconception that gay and bisexual men do not participate In sports and certainly don’t exist at a professional level. Gareth Thomas has proven all this to be incorrect and that gay/bi sportsmen can stand as equals next to their heterosexual counterparts.
 
"Gareth’s decision to go public will help towards a better future for the LGB community and ensure that younger generations of lesbian, gay and bisexual sportsmen can compete at a professional level without repressing their sexuality.
 
"Gareth’s success as a rugby player and his overall image provides a positive role model for LGBT people internationally and challenges the negative stereotypes imposed upon gay people that are harboured by the youth and bigots of this country.
 
Football vs Homophobia – an international day of protest against homophobia in football will be launched on February 19, 2010.  This comes just months after Gareth Thomas and Jeroen Saunders, a Dutch football referee, have declared their homosexuality.

February 19, will be a day to commend those brave enough to do so and to instigate change in the professional football industry that might one day be a safe enough environment for professional football players to be open about their sexuality too.
 
Jason Hall, founding directory of The Justin Campaign said:
“Gareth Thomas’s story of the struggle with his sexuality and his contemplation of suicide is sadly an all too real example of what LGBT people internationally experience as a result of widespread homophobia.

"It takes a player like this to make sports governing bodies realise that this is a very real problem with very real consequences.

"Here at The Justin Campaign we are very proud that Gareth Thomas has had the bravery to take this course of action, my feeling is that the world of football has a way to go until we witness a professional football player with the same confidence.”

For more information about the Justin Campaign view:
www.thejustincampaign.com