The Inspiring Gareth Thomas Shares His Story

Gareth Thomas is the only openly gay professional athlete in the world, and today he visited Ellen and shared what it's been like -- and the support he's received from some surprising sources.

[@difcymru]

He's from my area and went to my old school. He's a Welsh Rugby icon and him being gay doesn't change that, Cymru am byth!!! ☺

[@philippacowhig-morris5583]

Alfie....Gareth Thomas, has inspired so many people..he does a BBC Wales program where he inspires, helps, entices and supports people to better themsleves though running..My Daughter just ran a 1/2 marathon thanks to ALFIES ARMY... she has thrived and continues to.... Thank you Gareth, you dont realise how much you have helped and given to our family xx

[@ChetLindsay]

He comes across as extremely humble, sincere. and kind. I'd love to meet him!

[@frontierdarren]

Ellen mentions that it must be hard to come out in macho sport , but it has to be one of the most gay friendly sports in the world and gearth was brave to come out but as a rugby fan it is not even an issue , he still is one the best players in rugby.

[@swinephrog6428]

Lol a decade late but I agree, game for hooligans played by gentlemen. Rugby is for everyone

[@Earth098]

These gay athletes can destroy the stereotypes which led to all discrimination. Wonderful to see them

[@MegaJohnWall]

This guy was my hero growing up. I remember at the end of a Blues game I ran onto the pitch to find him just to give him a high five when I was little. I didn't want to wash my hand for ages hahaha

[@tomivins9246]

Gay or straight he's a rugby legend end of

[@JeroenManders]

I can only say one thing: Thanks for sharing! A great inspiration for many! (well, ok, thats two things...)

[@colinbaker3916]

As an Englishman I usually want Wales to lose, but this is something where I want a Welshman to win.

[@musicfever5921]

Colin Baker Are welshmen so impopular in england?

[@colinbaker3916]

It's a sporting rivalry between England and Wales, nothing more than that.

[@morgandryburgh25]

+Colin Baker well?🤔

[@colinbaker3916]

I'm fine, thanks.

[@thomasmaddocks7586]

there is a mutual rivalry as a Welshman, we still have respect for each other though

[@Orazio1977]

Wauw, that part of his father and toasting with champagne. Really beautiful.

[@AnaLizaPlatt]

I totally just cried because this is so amazingly touching!!! More than anything, how wonderful that not only his family but his teammates are so supportive! Amazing.

[@LeoCurtis]

So, so, so fucking inspirational! Well done to him! :3

[@LeoCurtis]

+HitMeQuick True...but I don't think that warrants him denying his sexuality to himself for the rest of his life. I see your point though.

[@mizofan]

+HitMeQuick I'm sure he meant her well, rather than setting out to use her. I hope she is happy and he is too.

[@catlus]

I am amazed by all this sympathy, I live in a small town in the south of England with my boyfriend we are just about tolerated here for 40 years, when we go to the country where we have a cottage we are treated like a side-show.

[@xelaresom27]

Thank u man!

[@jamespickin8811]

Hang on Gareth Thomas was on Ellen😂🙌🏻 love this love the guy👊🏻

[@garypierce8392]

I know! I didn't really care what he was talking about, I was just shocked to see him on Ellen 😂

[@MsTillster]

Well done Gareth! A fantastic ambassador for welsh rugby and an excellent role model for young and old. I wish you every success for the future - Sarah Tilley x

[@LittleRedOpheliac]

This makes more sense, thank you for clarifying. ^_^ In all honesty, I think thats /why/ he waited until he was famous. Because now his team will stick up for him.

[@Shepthebassman91]

Gareth the great! You are such a legendary Welshman! Coming from an American who has Welsh heritage! Cymru Am Byth!

[@ninecharsevita]

John Lennon said it best, "All we need is love!"

[@WesMan274]

Very good rugby player. loved that try he scored in the 2nd test of the Lions tour in NZ

[@stephenroche5107]

A great brave man my heart is with you.

[@andrewmitchell51]

Gareth Thomas, you're an inspiration. Not just for gay men or women but for helping the world get over its hang-ups. We spend far too much time concentrating on who Gareth / people finds attractive over what those people value - surely a far great barometer!!! Drive on Gareth. You were a stellar sportsman and a stellar gent! Big respect!

[@dramaticafantastica]

He's so brave and he's a fucking amazing epic player. Fair play to him. Side note, he looks like Catherine Tate as that "how very dare you" bloke!

[@dizzin0nz]

we love you Gareth!!!

[@belgarion04]

So Cool! Wish others could do that...it would make the world a better place but I know we've got a long way to go...but here's to a better future!

[@jcy_66]

@Ehvan thanx!! :)

[@dudewithalaptop2519]

awesome....i could listen 2 this guy all day

[@labrys7575]

So proud of him! I wish more people were this brave.

[@lngek]

He is so blessed and lucky! not all of us are that fortunate. :-(

[@anthonynewsome]

he's such a lovely guy - such a lovely BIG boy - bless

[@emilieseer]

I am so proud that a rugby player from Wales is the only openly gay athlete in the world, very inspring, makes me proud to be from Wales! Such a lovely guy.

[@morgandryburgh25]

I'm happy he is welsh but he is so inspirational but another is Nigel Owens CYMRU AM BYTH!👏👍

[@Dharane0902]

I'm a straight person and I have no problem with people who are Gay. Everyone deserves the right to love who they want to love. Life is too short for this. I think this quote best describes what people with negative feelings towards being gay should do: "Spend your time figuring out what you're for, in a world obsessed with what they're against,"

[@pr3typ0ny]

favorite rugby player of all time

[@jcy_66]

hi, sorry, can anyone tell me what his father said to him @ around 2:46-ish.. couldn't catch it!! thanx!!

[@KaylaJane011]

I just hope that this story will start a movement in the world that is so powerful in inspiring the young children of this world that it is ok to be Gay, and to not be ashamed of who they are and that they can do anything they want, including sports. I think this story is just what the Sports world needs right now......for people to feel like you don't have to be a certain way just to play sports, you can just be you and that is ok!

[@dsbaker90]

@frontierdarren Exactly right, as opposed to football, rugby is not hyped up in the media in that sense of the players public lives as football is. Most people I know were more gutted when Alfie moved to Cardiff Blues than him coming out.

[@megabiteish]

i love his accent! :)

[@geraintsouthgateBTVS]

He's amazing, i remember seeing a big poster of him in the changing rooms at P.E in school when i was in the closet i bet when gay kids who are in that school now look at the poster they will feel proud and have hope ! :D this is great and its sooo weird hearing his welsh accent next to ellens american one! haha not many welsh people on american tv sadly

[@judikael73]

I really admire Ellen for the job she does, trying to open people's minds. I also admire Mr Thomas for coming out since it is particularly difficult in professional sports. You can lose your sponsors, get the hell from your team mates or your team's supporters -- soccer is a good example in that respect where you can still hear officials state (as in Italy with Marcello Lippi), or former players imply (France, David Ginola, 2005), that you can't be gay and a professional player. Why? Well,

[@Movzhuru]

Gareth, you are amazing! Bravo!

[@fernandocorreia5096]

I love you! Well done!

[@JeniferEmily]

@CRISTALINA519 That may be what they meant, I agree, but that's not what they said in the description.

[@nigelcox1835]

Oh bless your heart! This is your life live it!!

[@magicalsamurai2006]

... don't get me wrong. It's great for him that he's now able to live his life openly and has accepted himself; but I can't get passed 'good for him' to seeing him as an individual of note to be applauded and praised.

[@greg1106]

There was a great i'view with Gareth on HBO's Real Sports. I am so proud of him, and of course he made mistakes, but his decision to live openly has and will continue to have a positive impact on those who struggle with their sexuality....as well as further break down stereotypes of what it means to be gay And for those who have pointed it out already, Gareth is not the only openly gay athlete in the world. But he is the only openly gay male athlete actively playing on a professional team.

[@lukeob94]

@Y2Krashman sorry but i did nt understand the context u wer putting it in when i hear mithochondria i automatically think of the human cell and respiration ..... but anyway just watched some of ur videos and respect u 4 wat ur doin

[@newportdragon19mufc]

Woohoooo!! Love Ellen and just found this video. She has a Welsh shirt :D Well done Gareth absolute legend. So PROUD to be Welsh!!

[@adamgoodword7888]

sorry to break it to you, but you are adopted! you are actually Scottish.

[@ejones8360]

@@adamgoodword7888 eh?

[@JohnSmith-sw6uv]

Gareth craves the lime light and attention!

[@jellyboy123]

amazing player, great guy.

[@LittleRedOpheliac]

Not always, not in a team. When I came out to my team (we're a nerd team, totally different thing but same team spirit) they all accepted me for who I was and we became stronger because none of us were hiding anything. It's truly amazing that his team accepts him for who he is.

[@jcy_66]

@1Stoya thanx guys, wow.. tat's a man tat loves his son :) no matter wat!

[@davidsechet434]

Remember him un Toulouse great player

[@dovidgoldstein2725]

You should have siya kolisi and nigel owens on the show (after corona)

[@krakenbwool04]

I'm in love with this guy, and I'm a chick. We need more athletes like him with REAL BALLS to be honest with themselves.

[@garyjones9910]

Welsh people are very accepting of all minority groups, or so I thought till brexit happened.

[@Jamesscalise]

Ellen has such pretty eyes.

[@IB77711]

@JessieRenee96 yes you are right ... and good night according to my country..

[@amywhitewolf4903]

Im not welsh but im proud to be a rugby fan where both gay or straight people can be equal

[@freddy512]

This guy is awesome on and of the field top guy

[@truthoutmedia]

@Y2Krashman erm, where did I say he is Bisexual mate?

[@user-nc8je9pb4l]

Why does Ellen keep saying rugby is macho, rugby is macho, rugby is macho, when Gerard is too?

[@KaylaJane011]

This story is so touching!

[@SuperWilliamHarris]

Right on

[@alelobrijelo]

@nikskorpio yea i know, but im just referring to the description of the video saying that gareth thomas is the only openly gay athlete in the world :)

[@johnplayersstandard]

@shaldana I had to leave a couple letters out to get the whole thing in there! lol :/

[@052970]

Do we all leave through the back door? I don't know how I got here. I didn't see a front door. What is down there...

[@iArees]

Gareth Thomas should be on Glee because he could be an idol for Kurt and Blaine also Finn...right?

[@UnknownGenius01]

Cristiano Ronaldo should follow him and come out.

[@mac2405able]

I honestly couldn't care the sexuality of alfie! It does not matter what sex he is into, the guy, for welsh rugby, which i am a huge fan, has done no end! not many people would manage to have the respect from team members, and i mean big team members who were hitting the headlines, like this man did! one of the all time welsh greats,gay or not! and at international level, even if he did fancy the opposite number,he still run through them first and score the points,and celebrate with the head pat

[@phakathisimphiwe]

I'm also gay and I have not told anyone about it and I don't find meaning in life because I'm leaving a lie. I've planed and tried to commit suicide so many times. I don't know what to do.

[@CRISTALINA519]

@JeniferEmily they meant in rough sports listen to it again

[@bonesgrey]

GO ELLEN!!! GO GARETH!!!

[@esotericed8736]

I'm 100% straight... And I never lie.

[@musicfever5921]

***** who cares, theres nothing wrong wirth being gay so you dont have to defend yourself

[@LCFor]

Nah your definitely gay bro

[@mizofan]

I'm straight and I always lie

[@johnplayersstandard]

@shaldana Sir! I have nothing against gays or straights or bisexuals i simpley want to see the reaction people gave after such a comment! It really doesn't have any affect at all on me. I have a couple friend that are bisexual and gay infact! Shure the world has many perfection and imperfections but being gay deffently isnt a imperfection. People need to start worrying about the things that really affect the world in a negative way instead of bashing gays and wasteing time but i was bored! :) :0

[@CozyZyco]

@judikael73 please permit me to quote this response, especially the first line, it's very inspiring :)

[@heybrendoncouldyoudidgerid9401]

His name is very Welsh

[@heybrendoncouldyoudidgerid9401]

I swear everyone in Wales is called Gareth Thomas

[@thomasmaddocks7586]

our most popular last name is Jones

[@heybrendoncouldyoudidgerid9401]

+Thomas Maddocks literally everyone in my class has the names jones 😂

[@mizofan]

Jones, Davies, Williams, Evans, Thomas, Price, Roberts, Llewelyn, Owen, Phillips...

[@internationalmanofmystery6798]

mizofan You Forget Jenkins

[@floppykid]

@ProfGHerculean Silver? rubbberSTAMP? Coog?!?!

[@Andre00x]

He's a hot DILF :)

[@kmostudios]

@TheKenfigI . .Your comments don't make any sense explain ?

[@kristian4527]

not here for Ellen, only Gareth

[@ananusa1]

hes not the only gay athlete

[@noodlegirl99]

I have no problem with gay people. I support them greatly and I have no clue why people have a problem with gays. My idol, the person I look up too, is bisexual. Sometimes when I tell people this they give me a strange stare and say "how"? And i say that it doesn't matter what type of sex they prefer, whether male or felmale, it's about their personality.

[@memoir4you]

sex is easy but sexuality has been always been very complex; people are not black and white, there are many grey areas in the adult world, we all have multiple personalities and are capable of almost anything.And people change ,too,we never stay the same.This is the truth about being human.

[@dsbaker90]

@LedSexton He may be gay, but if you have followed his rugby career you would know he could beat the shit out of you. Making him gay doesn'y automatically mean he is bad at what he does.

[@rissaroo42112]

My grandma tends to criticize people that aren't straight a lot. She even criticizes me and argues with me that China is a communist county and it's not. She is basicaly calling my boyfriend a communist. She talks about how christians should be nice and accept others yet she does nothing along the lines of that. People like to be themselve, what is so wrong with that?! They feel right this way and there is nothing anyone can do. It's what they want to be that counts.

[@polarbearfelly]

Isn't it awful that we live in a world where Ellen has to mention how difficult it was for him to publicly admit his orientation. Damn the pathetic homophobia in this world!!!

[@mizofan]

at least it is changing in many countries but still there is massive intolerance and severe punishment in others

[@Theremedialgash]

When Gt came out - pretty much everyone knew on the Wales team and tbf nearly everyone in the wider public who were into rugby. I presumed the worst - nobody gave a toss, he's Alfie and was a brilliant player. Rough on his misses - It's more worrying , as Tom Daley said that a shit load load of countries taking part in the commonwealth games, which ended a few days ago still have barbaric punishment for being 'in the gays'.

[@therespectedlex9794]

It's always sad when people bully others. Trouble is, gays shouldn't throw stones in glass houses. They are malignant narcissists who want the world to fit itself around a pathology. You're gay/homosexual because you've been 'nonced' and emotionally abused as a child. Many of us have been a bit sexually abused, but we're not nearly as gay.

[@deniro999]

there are dozens of sports stars who came out as gat going back to billie jean and many more. it is a great thing that gay people are not castigated. but I would add the new victims of abuse and castigation are the old and of course the disabled. these vulnerable peoples lives are as hard as always. heck you cant even get a wheelchair into most Churches still. how many disabled people are on tv really or in movies? its pathetic. the way old people are treated is 10 times worse than prisoners

[@judikael73]

Gays come in all shades. I'm fed up with the pressure coming from both outside and within the "gay community" that you have to be a "good" gay (aka straight-acting, playing by heteronormative rules) to be accepted and that it is the "sissies' fault" if we are still facing rejection.

[@gyqz]

What strenght one must have to come out in such a masculine and straight driven world he was in! Although this was never my world ( I discovered that I was gay at the age of 12 and was happy with it), I still can relate to his story! My ex-boyfriend was married before me and has 3 kids....He never had the guts to come out, because society pressed on him to be straight! I'm ever so happy he did and all the way into our relationship I was totally accepted by his family...I still am. So: GO Gareth!

[@nikskorpio]

@0kiccc0 oh okay. I wasn't paying attention to that. So he's only the 2nd athlete, still playing anyway. There are probably so many gay athletes that want to confess to him because they need someone to talk to. It's sad how they all feel they have to hide. Pretending to be 2 different people is depressing. :( Hollywood is the same.

[@schadenfreude000]

Well, he's not the first... Australian Rugby player Ian Roberts came out in 1995 while still playing. Also, Australian diver Matthew Mitcham is openly gay - the only openly gay athlete at the 2008 games. And she should all that, given her wife is Australian.

[@nikskorpio]

@0kiccc0 Diving isn't exactly a macho professional sport. Rugby is like the NFL over there. Except its tougher because you don't have all that protective padding and helmets.

[@TheKrazyKurtShow]

cymru am byth. Hero and a legend proud to be welsh!

[@MRKIAN-hy3id]

I met him

[@MrNiceHk]

Good for him !

[@truthoutmedia]

Yeah, a true 'hero'. So what is the difference between a man who leaves his wife for another woman and a man who leaves his wife because he's been sleeping around with other men? Oh, there is a difference. Don't question it.

[@IB77711]

@JessieRenee96 i hate the idea being gay ,, not the person himself.. so i like ellen because she is a good person but i hate or i don't like the idea of she's gay

[@Ehvan]

@sgtbaluku "Son, I just want to stick to you a toast for the rest of your life."

[@1Stoya]

@sgtbaluku He said son. I just want to sit here and toast the start of the rest of your life x

[@JessieRenee96]

@Mr0oooo0 I Am Not Gay At All. I Just Find It Stupid On Why People Don't Like Gays I Am They ARE HUMAN BEINGS. They Live And Breathe The Same Air We Do. Love Is Love.