The first British rugby league star to publicly come out as gay has accused Manly Sea Eagles players of using religion as an excuse for their homophobia.
Seven Sea Eagles players have refused to play in a special shirt to promote inclusivity and diversity and will not appear for the NRL club this weekend. Their absence is a protest at being asked to wear the club’s ‘Everyone in League’ campaign, which features a rainbow pattern traditionally associated with the Pride movement.
Keegan Hirst, the former Wakefield Trinity prop, became the first British player to publicly come out as gay when he did so in 2015 before retiring in 2020. The 34-year-old has condemned the players who have claimed ‘cultural and religious beliefs’ as their excuse for refusing to wear the shirt ahead of the clash against Sydney Roosters on Thursday.
