Australian Rugby Star Ian Roberts Calls Out Israel Folau
Speaking to Australia’s Channel Nine, out rugby star Ian Roberts criticised Israel Folau’s homophobic comments.
“I don’t say this lightly what I’m about to say—the language I use is hard and it’s for a point, it’s to get that message across,” Roberts said.
“There are literally [gay] kids in the suburbs killing themselves.
“I say that with the greatest sense of respect, and I’m not implying that Israel’s responsible solely for that, please don’t take it that way.
“But it’s these types of comments and these off-the-cuff remarks, when you have young people and vulnerable people, kids in the suburbs, who are dealing with their sexuality.
“[They’re] confused, not knowing how to deal with it, these type of remarks… can and do push [kids and] people over the edge.”
Folau had tweeted that “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters”would all go to hell if they did not repent. Folau has since been fired from both Rugby Australia and New South Wales Rugby.
Roberts was the first elite rugby player to come out as gay, back in 1995. He retired in 1998.
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