Ian Roberts wishes more players felt comfortable enough to be open about being gay

IAN Roberts concedes he “wishes” more rugby league players felt comfortable enough to be open about being gay.

Ian Roberts with Andy Ryan and Paul Heptonstall

IT has been 22 years since Ian Roberts officially “came out” as being gay and surprisingly he remains the only NRL player to have done so.

The former Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles forward is reluctant to say he is disappointed about being the only openly gay player in the past two decades.

But Roberts, who will join the NRL’s float during the Mardi Gras on Saturday night, does concede he “wishes” more players felt comfortable enough to be open about being gay.

“It was the worst-kept secret in rugby league that I was a gay man playing the sport,” Roberts said.

Ian Roberts, left, will join the NRL’s float during the Mardi Gras.

“Everyone at Manly knew, even when I left Souths in 1989.

“Even today there’s still a general misunderstanding in public about what homosexuality is.

“I know there are people who are playing that are struggling with their sexuality ... it’s not for me to judge them because I know it’s such a big decision.

“I don’t lie when I say I wish there had been someone else (to come out).

“I think it would be a very naive thing to assume there are currently no gay players in the NRL.”

Ian Roberts in action for the Sea Eagles.

The NRL has made huge strides to create an inclusive environment and their “Pride in League” initiative is just one example.

The code’s work in that space, over the last five years in particular, has opened the door for players to come out to their teammates but they remain reluctant to go public.

Ian Roberts is the only NRL player to have come out as being gay.

Wellbeing and Education Manager Paul Heptonstall says the pressure to be a spokesperson for the LGBTI community is a deterrent to coming out.

“We know of gay players in the game but it’s something else to then take on a role of a spokesperson,” he said.

“We thought when Robbo [Ian Roberts] came out it would have a snowball effect. I think players are choosing to come out in the team environment but to come out publicly it’s a different kettle of fish.

“I know players are slowly opening up … but to go public is a totally different thing.

“The fear is not within coming to their teams, it’s the other element. The scrutiny is a big part of it.”

Originally published as Ian Roberts wishes more players felt comfortable enough to be open about being gay