News (World)

Gay referee selected for Rugby World Cup Final

Gay referee selected for Rugby World Cup Final
Nigel Owens
Nigel Owens

Openly gay Welsh referee Nigel Owens came out in 2007 during a Wales on Sunday interview, and says public response to the news was largely positive.

“It’s such a big taboo to be gay in my line of work, I had to think very hard about it because I didn’t want to jeopardize my career,” he said at the time. “Coming out was very difficult and I tried to live with who I really was for years. I knew I was ‘different’ from my late teens, but I was just living a lie.”

Now, it’s been announced that Owens, who’s overseen over 65 international test matches since he was made an international referee in 2005, will referee the final game between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

“I want to thank my friends and family for their ongoing support and for helping me through some rough times in my life,” Owens said shortly after the news was announced.

h/t: GayNZ

Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

“The Pregnant Man,” accused of stalking estranged wife, pleads guilty

Previous article

Gay porn film penned by Sir John Gielgud faces estate opposition

Next article