Sydney drag queen Portia Turbo on Israel Folau controversy

A drag queen who once partied with Israel Folau believes he does not truly hate gay people, but warned that the Wallaby star’s message that homosexuality is a sin will cause untold damage.

Israel Foalau with drag queen Portia Turbo.

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A drag queen who once partied with Israel Folau believes he does not truly hate gay people, but warned that the Wallaby star’s message that homosexuality is a sin will cause untold damage.

Portia Turbo, a well-known identity in the Sydney gay community, had drinks with Folau and former NRL star Jarryd Hayne five years ago and described them as “lovely”.

Folau is strongly committed to his faith and condemns homosexuality, saying gay people must repent or else they’ll go to hell, a stance that has led Rugby Australia to announce they’ll terminate his $4 million contract.

“Israel and Jarryd hung out with my friends and I briefly one night in December 2013, they were lovely, I don’t think Israel hates us, he was really sweet,” Turbo told The Sunday Telegraph.

“But for anybody to single out a group of people for something that they are born with, that is not a choice of theirs, gives the wrong message to young people who are struggling to deal with their sexuality.”

Israel Foalau with drag queen Portia Turbo.

That was echoed by former Australian bobsleigh representative and club rugby player Simon Dunn, one of the country’s few openly gay male athletes.

“It is ironic that people claiming religious discrimination use religion to discriminate,” Dunn said.

“People can’t see the bigger picture because they are not gay, they are not getting bullied for being gay. But (it’s possible) that gay kids have been getting bullied in schoolyards in the past few days because of what Israel has posted.

“I came out when I was 16, I was playing rugby league but quit instantly because guys who I had been friends with my entire life just got weird around me.

“Growing up as a gay athlete, the only person I had to look up to was Ian Roberts.

Jarryd Hayne with Portia Turbo.

“Israel Folau is a role model for a lot of young people and by putting those views out there, after all the progress that has been over the years, he has set us back years and done irreversible damage.

“I know a few gay athletes, who compete at Olympic level, who are still struggling to come out because they are scared of what will happen to them.”

Dunn played for the inclusive Sydney Convicts, and the club’s president Don Rose said he will actually be saddened not to see Folau represent Australia again.

Former Australian bobsledder and Sydney Convicts rugby player Simon Dunn.

“I, just like every other rugby fan, hate to see an amazing talent like Israel’s denied from the game,” Rose said.

“Like all Wallaby supporters I have cheered and enjoyed Izzy playing in the gold jersey for years.

“I would love to see him continue to wear the Wallaby jersey, however the decision of both Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby proves that the values of our game and what we stand for is far more important than anything a single player can achieve on the field.

“That decision and stance gives me so much more pride in rugby in Australia than any on-field success.”

Originally published as Sydney drag queen Portia Turbo on Israel Folau controversy