Campbell Johnstone
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Good for him. Hopefully starts the process of normalising being gay for rugby players. I'm sure much harder to come out while playing due to the BS the crowd will chant etc particularly when drunk and/or in enemy territory.
Ironically years ago the crusaders had a party at my friends flat (one of his flatmates was in the crusaders squad) in Christchurch day after their final game. I happened to be there for the week up during potato uni holidays.
CJ was one of the loosest people I've been on the piss with. Certain things he was doing saying was next level.
Heard a couple of years ago later from a ex hurricane who wasn't there but had heard the story. It had got around the place. The guy then said 'CJ is openly gay and apparently in his playing days would go above and beyond to be loose to be one of the boys'.
Glad he can now just be him be a big weight off his shoulders.
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@Magpie_in_aus said in Campbell Johnstone:
Hopefully starts the process of normalising being gay for rugby players.
No one seems to bat an eyelid when the BF's talk about their wives.
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@MajorRage said in Campbell Johnstone:
I am so sick of he questioning around if "NZ is ready for a gay All Black".
Yup. That Nigel Owens was gay was irrelevant to the Rugby world (and completely his own business) and he was judged solely on his ability as a Ref and not on his sexuality.
You'd think we'd have moved on from this sort of stuff by now.
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@MajorRage said in Campbell Johnstone:
I am so sick of he questioning around if "NZ is ready for a gay All Black".
It's so demeaning to the general population. A bloody socialist was voted in overwhelmingly in the last GE. Why on earth would it not be ready for a gay All Black?
It's pathetic.
Exactly, the general population doesn't give a shit and the few that do would be destroyed for even hinting their disproval. If Ian Roberts can come out in the bogan league environment of the 90s, the idea that a gay AB will face backlash in 2023 is absolutely and utterly absurd.
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@MajorRage I agree I don't think it's as much the general population as it is the player's potential worry within a team environment to come out. Not saying that's true but if they think they will be ostracised it's enough for them to carry their secret.
Doesn't help with the manly/cairns taipans bs.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Campbell Johnstone:
@MajorRage said in Campbell Johnstone:
I am so sick of he questioning around if "NZ is ready for a gay All Black".
It's so demeaning to the general population. A bloody socialist was voted in overwhelmingly in the last GE. Why on earth would it not be ready for a gay All Black?
It's pathetic.
Exactly, the general population doesn't give a shit and the few that do would be destroyed for even hinting their disproval. If Ian Roberts can come out in the bogan league environment of the 90s, the idea that a gay AB will face backlash in 2023 is absolutely and utterly absurd.
He didn’t exactly start a trend though did he ?
The munter element in league is still very prevalent. Speaking of which it’s about that time of year when we read about shocking behaviour during pre season trainings, I’d better check some news sites…..
I’m surprised it’s taken an AB as long as this to be honest but everyone is different and faces their own demons I suppose.
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@MN5 said in Campbell Johnstone:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Campbell Johnstone:
@MajorRage said in Campbell Johnstone:
I am so sick of he questioning around if "NZ is ready for a gay All Black".
It's so demeaning to the general population. A bloody socialist was voted in overwhelmingly in the last GE. Why on earth would it not be ready for a gay All Black?
It's pathetic.
Exactly, the general population doesn't give a shit and the few that do would be destroyed for even hinting their disproval. If Ian Roberts can come out in the bogan league environment of the 90s, the idea that a gay AB will face backlash in 2023 is absolutely and utterly absurd.
He didn’t exactly start a trend though did he ?
The munter element in league is still very prevalent. Speaking of which it’s about that time of year when we read about shocking behaviour during pre season trainings, I’d better check some news sites…..
I’m surprised it’s taken an AB as long as this to be honest but everyone is different and faces their own demons I suppose.
Maybe most people don't think their sexuality is anyone else's business?
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Campbell Johnstone:
@MN5 said in Campbell Johnstone:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Campbell Johnstone:
@MajorRage said in Campbell Johnstone:
I am so sick of he questioning around if "NZ is ready for a gay All Black".
It's so demeaning to the general population. A bloody socialist was voted in overwhelmingly in the last GE. Why on earth would it not be ready for a gay All Black?
It's pathetic.
Exactly, the general population doesn't give a shit and the few that do would be destroyed for even hinting their disproval. If Ian Roberts can come out in the bogan league environment of the 90s, the idea that a gay AB will face backlash in 2023 is absolutely and utterly absurd.
He didn’t exactly start a trend though did he ?
The munter element in league is still very prevalent. Speaking of which it’s about that time of year when we read about shocking behaviour during pre season trainings, I’d better check some news sites…..
I’m surprised it’s taken an AB as long as this to be honest but everyone is different and faces their own demons I suppose.
Maybe most people don't think their sexuality is anyone else's business?
100%. I just thought it would have followed suit.
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I think some people here are underestimating how conservative small-town NZ can be, esp among more conservative/religious communities. Overall, NZ society is accepting and younger and/or big city populations won't give a toss who you share your bed with, but there's quite a significant group of people, who don't like people being "different" generally, and gay in particular. Not even mentioning the religious groups who scream Sodom and Gomorrah in relation to homosexuality.
There's also the issue of bullying, which is widespread in NZ, especially among young people. Bullies pick people they see as weak or "different", and I can imagine that young gay boys (and girls) are well-represented among the victims of bullying.
Also, if you listen to some of the abuse people yell at rugby players, referees and even coaches, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Not sure the language inside the changing rooms is always better. I sometimes wonder whether people even realise how homophobic some of their abuse is, so ingrained are some of the terms used, but the fact is, words can hurt.
All in all, there are - unfortunately - still plenty of reasons for gay players to hesitate about "coming out". A former All Black coming out may help them get the confidence they need to fully be themselves and not feel like they have to hide who they are in the rugby environment.
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@MN5 said in Campbell Johnstone:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Campbell Johnstone:
@MajorRage said in Campbell Johnstone:
I am so sick of he questioning around if "NZ is ready for a gay All Black".
It's so demeaning to the general population. A bloody socialist was voted in overwhelmingly in the last GE. Why on earth would it not be ready for a gay All Black?
It's pathetic.
Exactly, the general population doesn't give a shit and the few that do would be destroyed for even hinting their disproval. If Ian Roberts can come out in the bogan league environment of the 90s, the idea that a gay AB will face backlash in 2023 is absolutely and utterly absurd.
He didn’t exactly start a trend though did he ?
The munter element in league is still very prevalent. Speaking of which it’s about that time of year when we read about shocking behaviour during pre season trainings, I’d better check some news sites…..
I’m surprised it’s taken an AB as long as this to be honest but everyone is different and faces their own demons I suppose.
Well he told who he needed to tell, and to be honest, I don't know or care what anyones sexual orietation is , whether they play for ABs or whoever, I not sure what demons are he is facing.
You know I played rugby an awful long time, and don't ever say I knew religion, sexual oritation etc of mates (and they all were to me) that I played with or against.
Same now, I go and play a bit of golf in a club where(small town etc) where I guess a few will laugh about this, but the funny thing is I don't know if any of them are gay straight or whatever, and they don't know whether I am either. -
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Just seen this item in One News highlighting the Campbell Jonstone story which was played on an English nework , only problem was , the graphic they used was Derrin Whitcombe ..talk about feel short changed ..
Anyone else see that item..? -
I think it’s google’s fault. If you search for Johnstone that’s one of the first photos that shows up. Whitcombe’s photo has been used all over the uk coverage in particular
