Australian rugby player Toby Rudolf opened up about his sexual identity amidst the National Rugby League (NRL) Pride jersey controversy.
In an interview with the Sunday Morning Herald, the Cronulla Sharks star shared where he stands within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
“Sexuality is very fluid. I’ve been out and kissed many gay men, kissed many straight women and kissed many gay women,” he revealed.
“I’m not a one-stop shop. Love is love, and I love to share it with everyone. That’s probably why I love going to all the gay bars in Sydney as well – I love dancing with my shirt off and getting down Universal on Oxford St until 2 am.”
“You could say I’m open to both genders but only attracted to one of them.”
Rudolf also shared his thoughts on the recent controversy regarding the seven Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players who boycotted a recent game due to the team’s Pride jerseys.
“I haven’t got caught up in the Manly situation,” he said. “What I will say is I was raised by quite a few gay and lesbian community members. My uncle is gay and my grandmother is gay, and there’s so much love in that community.”
On 26 July, Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley refused to wear the LGBTQ+ inclusive jerseys because it conflicted with their “cultural and religious beliefs.”
“Their spirituality is a central part of their wellbeing. The club has made an error from which it will learn. The players will not play on Thursday, and we accept their decision,” said Manly Warringah Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.
The players’ decision to boycott the game has since sparked massive backlash from fans; and even prompted the Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Paul V’Landys to pitch a Pride round in 2023.
“We are very proud that we are a game for everybody,” he said. “That’s why I’m in this game because I had a difficulty being accepted as a migrant, and rugby league accepted me. It was inclusive back then, and it is inclusive now.”
He added: “It’s important that every boy and girl and man and woman can go to the game and feel they can be treated the same as everyone else.”
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