Campbell Johnstone Hopes Becoming the First Gay All Black Will Take Away Stigma and Pressure from Others – Men’s Health
Former New Zealand rugby prop Campbell Johnstone has become the first All Black to publicly come out as gay and said he hopes his announcement will ‘take away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue’.
Johnstone, who represented Canterbury, the Crusaders and was the 1056 man to play for the All Blacks before retiring in 2012, revealed his sexuality in an interview with New Zealand-based current affairs programme, Seven Sharp. He said that although he had come out to his friends, family and colleagues, he had decided against going public with the news while he was still playing.
‘Within myself I was never really comfortable with the concept,’ Johnstone said. ‘My dream was to be an All Black, but my view of an All Black was manly, strong, possibly with a wife and kids.’
Rather than coming out during his playing career, Johnstone said he pushed his sexuality to the side and admitted that he would blame bad games on being gay. He told Seven Sharp presenter Hilary Barry how he had been ‘living a lie’ and leading a ‘double life’.
‘If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and take away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue, it can actually help other people,’ said Johnstone.
‘Then the public will know that there is one in amongst the All Blacks and it could be one of the final pieces in the puzzle sports-wise that gives everyone closure.’
Johnstone has been commended for his bravery in coming out. New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said his former team-mate’s ‘strength and visibility will pave the way for others’, while New Zealand sports minister and former Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson thanked Johnstone for ‘blazing this trail’.
On the advice Johnstone would give to other All Blacks and athletes thinking of coming out, he said, ‘There’s no rule or law about coming out. You don’t have to come out. If you feel it’s not right for you then don’t.
‘The idea of an ideal rugby player is of an honest, strong person, and if you can make yourself stronger by relieving anxiety and stress then you will fit that mould,’ Johnstone added.