Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Johnstone: Former All Black rugby player comes out as gay

31/01/2023

Johnstone: Former All Black rugby player comes out as gayFormer All Black prop Johnstone says he's decided to come out to help remove the stigma of being gay in the hyper-masculine world of rugby.

by Mambaonline.com

31-01-2023 11:21

in LGBTQIA+

Campbell Johnstone says he couldn't reconcile his sexuality with the idea of being an All Black. Photo: Mambaonline.com

The 43-year-old New Zealander opened up about his sexuality in an interview with Hilary Barry on TVNZ's television show Seven Sharp, making him the first openly gay former or current All Black.

--

Johnstone played for the All Blacks in 2005 as well as for several teams in New Zealand, France, Russia and Wales.

If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and take away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue, then it can actually help other people, Johnstone told Barry.

Then the public will know that there is one in amongst the All Blacks. To be able to do that could possibly be one of the final pieces in the puzzle in New Zealand sports-wise that gives everyone closure.

He revealed that during his playing days, he couldn't reconcile his sexuality with his ideal mould that I had in my head about an All Black .

He suppressed that part of himself deeper and deeper, which he said was like having a double life and living a lie .

--

ALSO READ: The search for Miss Drag South Africa 2023 has begun

Today, he said, he is in a relationship with his partner and is very much happy and very comfortable about myself . He hopes that his public coming out is going to help a lot of people .

The All Blacks responded to Robinson's interview in a Twitter post. Much love and support for All Black #1056 Campbell Johnstone for having the courage to share his story and helping create a more inclusive game, said the team.

Mark Robinson, CEO of New Zealand Rugby, also offered his support to Johnston in a statement on behalf of the organisation.

--

I want to acknowledge and support Campbell for sharing his authentic story. Your strength and visibility will pave the way for others in our game, said Robinson

Rugby is a sport that is welcoming to everyone and a place where people should feel safe to be who they are. We know that there are people who have not always been comfortable to be who they are in rugby. We want to be clear, no matter who you love, rugby has your back, he added.

Article by Roberto Igual

This article was initially published on MAMBAonlie.com

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY Mambaonline.com

Payfast has undergone a major rebrand, joining forces with PayGate and SiD. READ MORE HERE
LINK: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/lgbtqia/johnstone-former-all-b...
See more stories from thesouthafrican

Africa Stories

23/03/2023

African Proverb of the day: 23 March 2023

African Proverb of the day: 23 March 2023A proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, beliefs, and a...

23/03/2023

Boity hints at a much-anticipated second season of Own Your Throne

Boity hints at a much-anticipated second season of Own Your ThroneBoity has the rumour mill going crazy about a possible second season of her reality show Own Y...

23/03/2023

Babes secures' Uthando Lodumo: Life After Mampintsha'?

Babes secures' Uthando Lodumo: Life After Mampintsha'?Reality TV star and Mandla Maphumulo's widow Babes Wodumo has reportedly been offered a TV s...

23/03/2023

Uganda passes horror bill to outlaw LGBTIQ+ people's existence

Uganda passes horror bill to outlaw LGBTIQ people's existenceUganda have voted to criminalise LGBTIQ people's very existence under a bill that is one ...

23/03/2023

Gayle: South Africa's secret gay language

Gayle: South Africa's secret gay languageGayle, a secret gay language, flourished during South Africa's apartheid-era, the language lingers on today in ...

23/03/2023

Streaming TODAY: New streaming releases on 23 March 2023

Streaming TODAY: New streaming releases on 23 March 2023Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your favourite...

23/03/2023

Noni Jabavu was a SA writer: A book shows how relevant she still is

Noni Jabavu was a SA writer: A book shows how relevant she still isNoni Jabavu was the first black South African woman to publish memoirs and one of the first A...

23/03/2023

Van Gogh Museum at 50: A brief history of Van Gogh and the art market

Van Gogh Museum at 50: A brief history of Van Gogh and the art marketAmsterdam's Van Gogh Museum turns 50 in 2023. The museum attracts over two million visi...

23/03/2023

Tonight on Generations: Mazwi overhears a conversation which sets his mind racing

Tonight on Generations: Mazwi overhears a conversation which sets his mind racin...

23/03/2023

Tonight on Imbewu: MaNdlovu struggles to pray or communicate with the ancestors as her nightmares continue

Tonight on Imbewu: MaNdlovu struggles to pray or communicate with the ancestors ...

23/03/2023

Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac has a tense sit down with Rea and Ona

Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac has a tense sit down with Rea and OnaDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of House of Zwide and ...

23/03/2023

Tonight on Scandal: Tebello's persistence gives him insight into his new friend's circumstances

Tonight on Scandal: Tebello's persistence gives him insight into his new fri...

23/03/2023

Daily devotion: Your bible verse and prayer for 23 March 2023

Daily devotion: Your bible verse and prayer for 23 March 2023GOOD MORNING! Here's your daily bible verse and prayer to get you ready and excited about your ...

22/03/2023

SKEEM SAAM: Tonight's episode, 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]

SKEEM SAAM: Tonight's episode, 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Skeem Saam soapie right he...

22/03/2023

7de Laan live updates: Amorey makes a confession to Alexa

7de Laan live updates: Amorey makes a confession to AlexaWhat's new on 7de Laan? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your favorite televi...

22/03/2023

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Episode for 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Episode for 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of House of Zwide? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of House of Zwide soapie right h...

22/03/2023

Skeem Saam live updates: Rathebe bids farewell to Turf and all that comes with it

Skeem Saam live updates: Rathebe bids farewell to Turf and all that comes with i...

22/03/2023

DURBAN GEN: Tonight's episode, 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]

DURBAN GEN: Tonight's episode, 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Durban Gen? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Durban Gen soapie right he...

22/03/2023

SCANDAL: Tonight's episode, 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]

SCANDAL: Tonight's episode, 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Scandal ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Scandal soapie right here. Don&...

22/03/2023

GENERATIONS: Tonight's episode, 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]

GENERATIONS: Tonight's episode, 22 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Generation The Legacy? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Generation The...

22/03/2023

Gomora live updates: Sibongile tells Tshiamo she doesn't want a baby

Gomora live updates: Sibongile tells Tshiamo she doesn't want a babyWhat's new on Gomora? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your fa...

22/03/2023

Scandal live updates: Tonight on Scandal: Tebello is flying high when he learns about Nqobile's passion

Scandal live updates: Tonight on Scandal: Tebello is flying high when he learns ...

22/03/2023

Generations - The Legacy live updates: The Minister and police commander are conspiring again

Generations - The Legacy live updates: The Minister and police commander are con...

22/03/2023

Imbewu - The Seed live updates: Sibongile isn't feeling well, Zithulele wants to get her to a doctor

Imbewu - The Seed live updates: Sibongile isn't feeling well, Zithulele want...

22/03/2023

Uzalo live updates: Nkunzi is perturbed to see an old enemy in his turf

Uzalo live updates: Nkunzi is perturbed to see an old enemy in his turfWhat's new on Uzalo? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your favo...

22/03/2023

Muvhango live updates: Khumo finds out that Tshifhiwa is now a part of MMC

Muvhango live updates: Khumo finds out that Tshifhiwa is now a part of MMCWhat's new on Muvhango? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on you...

22/03/2023

The River live updates: Cobra is confronted with the consequences of his actions

The River live updates: Cobra is confronted with the consequences of his actionsWhat's new on The River? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending...

22/03/2023

Tonight on Imbewu: Sibongile isn't feeling well, Zithulele wants to get her to a doctor

Tonight on Imbewu: Sibongile isn't feeling well, Zithulele wants to get her ...

22/03/2023

Tonight on Muvhango: Khumo finds out that Tshifhiwa is now a part of MMC

Tonight on Muvhango: Khumo finds out that Tshifhiwa is now a part of MMCDon't miss out on the latest drama in Muvhango! Muvhango episodes airs on SABC2 from...

22/03/2023

Tonight on Uzalo: Nkunzi is perturbed to see an old enemy in his turf

Tonight on Uzalo: Nkunzi is perturbed to see an old enemy in his turfDon't get left behind, catch up on Uzalo now! Episodes of Uzalo air on SABC1 from Monda...

22/03/2023

Tonight on The River: Cobra is confronted with the consequences of his actions

Tonight on The River: Cobra is confronted with the consequences of his actionsWatch tonight's episode of The River and catch the latest episode every weekda...

22/03/2023

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Rathebe bids farewell to Turf and all that comes with it

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Rathebe bids farewell to Turf and all that comes with itFind out what's going on tonight on Skeem Saam!. Skeem Saam episodes airs on ...

22/03/2023

African Proverb of the day: 22 March 2023

African Proverb of the day: 22 March 2023A proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, beliefs, and a...

22/03/2023

Poem of the day: Forgiveness Is Divine

Poem of the day: Forgiveness Is DivineA poem a day keeps the soul awake! For the most soulful, authentically African poetry on the internet, check out Poem of t...

22/03/2023

Skeem Saam' fans contact Mrs Kgomo and defend Lizzy

Skeem Saam' fans contact Mrs Kgomo and defend Lizzy Skeem Saam' fans took a screenshot of Mrs Kgomo's number from the show, sent her a message to in...

22/03/2023

Amnesty urges Uganda leader to reject appalling' anti-LGBTQ bill

Amnesty urges Uganda leader to reject appalling' anti-LGBTQ billAmnesty International urged Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni Wednesday to reject a to...

22/03/2023

Streaming TODAY: New streaming releases on 22 March 2023

Streaming TODAY: New streaming releases on 22 March 2023Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your favourite...

22/03/2023

Tonight on Gqeberha: Nozuko is gunning for Anathi

Tonight on Gqeberha: Nozuko is gunning for AnathiDon't miss tonight's episode of Gqeberha: The Empire, and watch the latest episode on Mzansi Magic from...

22/03/2023

Tonight on Generations: The Minister and police commander are conspiring again

Tonight on Generations: The Minister and police commander are conspiring againKeen to know what's happening on the latest episode of Generations: The Legacy...

22/03/2023

Tonight on 7de Laan: Amorey makes a confession to Alexa

Tonight on 7de Laan: Amorey makes a confession to AlexaDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of 7de Laan and Catch the latest epis...

22/03/2023

Tonight on House of Zwide: Senzo is encouraged to finally take control of his own life

Tonight on House of Zwide: Senzo is encouraged to finally take control of his ow...

22/03/2023

Tonight on Scandal: Tebello is flying high when he learns about Nqobile's passion

Tonight on Scandal: Tebello is flying high when he learns about Nqobile's pa...

22/03/2023

Tonight on Gomora: Sibongile tells Tshiamo she doesn't want a baby

Tonight on Gomora: Sibongile tells Tshiamo she doesn't want a babyDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of Gomora, and watch t...

22/03/2023

Daily devotion: Your bible verse and prayer for 22 March 2023

Daily devotion: Your bible verse and prayer for 22 March 2023GOOD MORNING! Here's your daily bible verse and prayer to get you ready and excited about your ...

21/03/2023

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Mr Kgomo plays reverse psychology on Mrs Kgomo

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Mr Kgomo plays reverse psychology on Mrs KgomoFind out what's going on tonight on Skeem Saam!. Skeem Saam episodes airs on SABC1 Mond...

21/03/2023

SKEEM SAAM: Tonight's episode, 21 March 2023 [VIDEO]

SKEEM SAAM: Tonight's episode, 21 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Skeem Saam soapie right he...

21/03/2023

7de Laan live updates: Sudesh is still evasive when Zee confronts him

7de Laan live updates: Sudesh is still evasive when Zee confronts himWhat's new on 7de Laan? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your fav...

21/03/2023

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Episode for 21 March 2023 [VIDEO]

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Episode for 21 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of House of Zwide? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of House of Zwide soapie right h...

21/03/2023

Skeem Saam live updates: Mr Kgomo plays reverse psychology on Mrs Kgomo

Skeem Saam live updates: Mr Kgomo plays reverse psychology on Mrs KgomoWhat's new on Skeem Saam? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your...

21/03/2023

SCANDAL: Tonight's episode, 21 March 2023 [VIDEO]

SCANDAL: Tonight's episode, 21 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Scandal ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Scandal soapie right here. Don&...