"Exeter Chiefs star" - LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Celebrating the Out and Proud Rugby Community

Rugby is a sport for all, and with the 1st of June marking the start of Pride Month, lets celebrate rugby's stars of the LGBTQ+ community.

"This is not soccer!" Considered by many rugby fans as the greatest referee that the game has ever seen, Nigel Owens has had a decorated career on the whistle.

His iconic no-nonsense approach coupled with an unmistakable Welsh accent, has made for many legendary interactions with the rugby's biggest names.

Soon after the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Owens was named as the 'Gay Sports Personality of the Year' winner, by LGBTQ+ right's group Stonewall.

An icon of rugby officiating, Owens refereed the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final, and later became the most capped official in test match rugby history.

This marked his 71st test match as referee, when Fiji took on Tonga during the 2019 Rugby World Cup Qualification stages. He also became the first official to referee 100 test matches, during the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup fixture, as France faced Italy.

Owens hung up the whistle two weeks later, but continues to offer analysis through his entertaining 'Whistle Watch' YouTube Channel.

Campbell Johnstone and Ruby Tui

Earlier this year, former New Zealand prop Campbell Johnstone announced that he was gay. In doing so, Johnstone became the first All Black to come out, in what was a celebrated moment across the rugby community. The All Blacks posted their support on social media, and All Blacks and Black Ferns stars also voiced their support for Johnstone.

Black Ferns star Ruby Tui is a true trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community, and she shared her admiration for Johnstone on Twitter; “I try to fight for the rainbow every day but what Campbell Johnstone has just done for the rainbow community within rugby is probably more than I’ve ever done. Thank you brother,”

Former All Black Brad Weber also supported Johnstone “influential moment for so many young people, rugby players especially, who might be questioning their sexuality”. Weber's comment reinforced how the LGBTQ+ community have allies all throughout rugby, and these strong partnerships need to continue as the game continues to progress.

Out pro rugby player Jack Dunne will have a new home next season. The Exeter Chiefs, who play in rugby union’s top division, Premiership Rugby, recently signed the promising young rugger from Leinster, a club in Ireland.

Last year, Dunne publicly came out as bisexual in an interview with the Independent, talking about his desire to be a role model for LGBTQ kids. That’s an impressive goal for any 22 year old.

England's Women's team have seen proud representation from the LGBTQ+ community throughout their history. Prop Hannah Botterman and fullback Holly Aitchison are among the players who currently wave the rainbow flag within the Red Roses squad.

Botterman recently spoke about her relationship with Aitchison with England Rugby's Inside Line. The 23-year-old discussed how proud she was of her partner, in achieving all that she had, despite the challenges she faced.

The duo were apart of the England side which won the 2023 Women's Six Nations Grand Slam, and took to Twickenham Stadium in front of a record-setting crowd for a women's rugby match. The LGBTQ+ pride can also be seen in the England Women's Sevens team, as Meg Jones and Celia Quansah proudly represent the side.

Sam Stanley, Keegan Hirst and Ian Roberts never played against each other, or alongside each other on the rugby pitch. However, they are three crucially important people who took the brave first steps within their sports.

A former Saracens centre, Sam Stanley became the first English rugby player to come out as gay, as he kicked down the doors for the LGBTQ+ Community in August 2015. Stanley comes from a decorated rugby family, his brother Michael played for Samoa, and his Uncle Joe Stanley is a former All Black. Stanley ended his playing career at Ealing Trailfinders, and has since announced his engagement to long-term partner Laurence Hicks.

Keegan Hirst broke new ground for the LGBTQ+ Community in Rugby League, as the first openly gay British man to play the sport. Hirst too came out in 2015, in what was a milestone year for both codes of English rugby. Hirst followed on from the ground-breaking announcement of rugby league player Ian Roberts, as the Australian came out in 1995, becoming the first 'rugby-footballer' to do so.

From one Welsh rugby icon to another, Gareth Thomas made 100 appearances for Wales between 1995 and 2007, during his decorated rugby career. Thomas was previously the record holder of the most Wales caps, before he was surpassed by fly half Stephen Jones in 2011.

The former Wales and British & Irish lions captain also held the record for the most tries for Wales with 40, until he was overtaken by Shane Williams in the 2008 Six Nations. Thomas marked his Wales debut in emphatic style, as he scored a hat-trick against Japan at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

One record which Thomas can still claim, is the record for the furthest international try from an interception. In a match against Australia, the Welshman intercepted a pass and ran 90m with the ball to score the famous solo try. When Thomas came out in 2009, he broke down a monumental barrier by becoming the first openly gay rugby player.

There simply is not enough time to discuss all of the empowering LGBTQ+ people, who participate within the world of rugby. From the grass roots to the world's grandest stages, LGBTQ+ representation is everywhere within the sport, with events such as rainbow laces and pride matches keeping this progression going.

This month, Pride events take place all across the world, in what are true celebrations about being who you are. Rugby will do it's part, in making sure that the sport is inclusive to all genders, sexual orientations and identities. The LGBTQ+ community will have the voices heard, as rugby continues to be the sport for everyone.