13/02/2023
Campbell Johnstone, who played several games for New Zealand’s National Rugby Team in 2005, has become the first veteran of the team, known as the All Blacks, to come out as a gay man. The Independent Newspaper says that Mr Johnstone came out publically on the national New Zealand television programme “Seven Sharp”, which airs on TVNZ, a national publically owned channel. Both the rugby and the wider LGBTQIA+ communities have sent many messages of love and support for Mr Johnstone. New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson, who is also a former team mate, said in a statement Johnstone’s “strength and visibility will pave the way for others in our game”. Meanwhile, the openly gay Sports Minister in New Zealand, Mr Grant Robertson, remarked ““Another barrier has been broken. I hope it inspires future generations to be open, happy and comfortable”.
