Rugby icon Gareth Thomas rages 'trans people have it f*****g hard' as sports argument goes on
Rugby icon Gareth Thomas has discussed transgender athletes participating in sport
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Rugby icon Gareth Thomas believes transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in sports - and that they have it 'f*****g hard' anyway.
The former Wales captain came out as gay back in 2009 and has long lobbied for LGBTQ+ rights.
Thomas is also a staunch supporter of the trans community, too.
And in an interview with The Pink News, the Rugby World Cup commentator has doubled down on their inclusion in sports.
Transgender athletes are forbidden from participating in certain sports including rugby
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When speaking about Rugby banning trans players from competing in Rugby League and Rugby Union, he said: “This is a subject that is never going to be solved unless people sit around the table and are willing not to shout at each other, are willing to have a discussion.
“Nobody is feeling like, you know what? Let’s sit down and have a discussion, but also have a discussion with the people that are in effect, because we’re talking about a very small minority of people who have it f**king hard anyway."
He added: “It gets people way more than really to get to know our purpose, and it gives them a perfect and a sense of wellbeing, a sense of friendship, a sense of family, shared experiences with people and friendships.”
The 49-year-old won numerous trophies during his time in Rugby Union.
He made 100 appearances for his country, becoming the first player in their history to do so.
But Thomas has insisted there's more to sport than simply winning or losing.
“It gets people way more than really to get to know our purpose," he continued.
"And it gives them a perfect and a sense of wellbeing, a sense of friendship, a sense of family, shared experiences with people and friendships.”
Thomas, as mentioned above, has been commentating at the Rugby World Cup.
But he's taken issue with the tournament's tagline of 'sport is for all' by hammering home how trans athletes are excluded.
“On the tagline for Rugby World Cup is ‘sport is for all’,” he said.
"So understand what all is.
"All isn’t just men. All isn’t just women. All isn’t just gay. All isn’t just straight. All isn’t just bi.
"All is f**king all.
"If we’re going to say all sport for all, then we have to understand what all is and accept all."
Thomas became the first openly gay rugby player when he announced his sexuality to the world in 2009.
He was later forced to come out as HIV positive.
Thomas then spoke on national television with the eyes of the world on him, with his parents accosted by a journalist asking about his medical status.
Speaking about that, Thomas emotionally said: “It wasn’t about giving out to however many people watched it on television. It was about me being real.
“I needed to be open to the people who were in front of me, because I needed them to understand why I was there.
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Gareth Thomas is an icon to millions of fans around the world
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"I needed to go out there to understand why I have a sense of vulnerability, why I have a sense of strength, what’s driven me to this point, what’s really pushed me over the edge before.
"I needed them to know why I’m so extremely proud to represent what and who I represent because of what I’ve been through."