Gay referee rugby

Nigel Owens, MBE (born 18 June ) is a Welsh former international rugby union referee, who retired in December after a year career. He previously held the world record for the most test matches refereed [1] and was one of five international referees listed as professional within the Welsh Rugby Union, alongside Craig Evans, Adam Jones, Dan Jones and Ben Whitehouse. [2] He is widely. 1 Nigel Owens is celebrated as one of the world's top rugby referees and the only openly gay official in his field. His autobiography, "Half Time," recounts his struggles with sexuality, bulimia, and steroids. 2 Gay rugby ref Nigel Owens gets married on ‘an amazing day,’ now hoping to become a dad Nigel Owens is a celebrated rugby referee, but he calls his wedding the 'proudest of my life.'. 3 He also holds the distinction of being the only openly gay referee in professional rugby union. His journey to the top, however, was far from easy. 4 Owens, the first openly-gay man to referee in international rugby, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast he understands from his own experiences how hiding your sexuality was a "very dark and difficult. 5 Craig Maxwell-Keys explains a decision to Exeter Chiefs' Jack Yeandle. Professional rugby has continually embraced modern technology - so it's no surprise that Premiership referee Craig Maxwell-Keys took a similar approach towards coming out as gay. 6 A leading English referee has spoken for the first time about coming out as gay and the inspiration he drew from Welshman Nigel Owens in declaring his sexuality. 7 Former international rugby referee Nigel Owens has said he understands why ex-Premier League referee David Coote hid his sexuality over fears of being abused. Coote, 42, said the pressure of his work contributed to the behaviour that led to his sacking by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited PGMOL in December. 8 Besides having the record for most test matches refereed, Owens has earned a reputation as one of the top rugby referees around the world. The Welshman is also a TV personality and a devoted activist for the LGBT cause, winning “Gay Sports Personality of the Decade” at the Stonewall awards ceremony in London back in 9 Nigel Owens is a professional rugby union referee who made history by coming out as gay in Away from the pitch, he has become an established LGBT speaker who can recall the difficulties of being gay in such a masculine sport at corporate, public and Pride events. 10 . 12