Culture

Rugby player Simon Dunn shares a kiss in defiance of Israel Folau’s anti-gay views

By Daniel Megarry

24th April 2018

Now this is how you stick it to a bigot.

Earlier this month, Australian rugby star Israel Folau caused outrage when he suggested that gay people would end up in “hell” unless they “repent of their sins and turn to God” in a now-deleted Instagram comment.

Despite his comments appearing to break Rugby Australia’s inclusion policy, the sports organisation decided against imposing a sanction on him, but that hasn’t stopped LGBTQ people and their allies from speaking out against his homophobia.

One of those people speaking their mind is former bobsledder Simon Dunn, who recently shared a photo of a ‘victory kiss’ with his partner Felix on social media. The two play together on gay-inclusive London rugby club the Kings Cross Steelers.

Simon has now re-shared the photo, tagging Israel in the caption and encouraging his fans to retweet him so the anti-gay rugby pro would get numerous notifications about the kiss, leaving him unable to ignore the photo.

You know what to do: Get retweeting!

Speaking to Gay Times about Israel’s offensive comments, Simon said: “Unfortunately the sporting world is still a place where kissing my partner after our team’s victory is still seen as an act of defiance or rebellion.

“It’s an environment where someone’s homophobic comments can be defended as ‘just his opinion’ and that truly is worrying.

“I’ve devoted my life to sport, and as an out and proud athlete I’ll continue to do what is natural for me, and hopefully break down stereotypes in the process.”

Simon isn’t the only famous face to share their views on the controversy, as Riverdale star KJ Apa recently called out rugby pro Israel on his Instagram stories for his “disappointing comments” about gay people.

“Our role as Christians is to LOVE not judge. What gives you the right to condemn? Are you perfect? Sit down,” he wrote.