World's first gay gby club 20 years on | CNN

kings cross gay rugby team

Kgs Cross Steelers, named after the NFL si om Ptsburgh, is the first gay gby club the world, and a new documentary film, Steelers, follows their journey om trma to triumph.

Contents:

HEARD OF THE STEELERS? NO, NOT THEM, THE GAY GBY TEAM OM LONDON

* kings cross gay rugby team *

Niamh LewisMar 1, 2021, 09:52 AM ETWhen Eammon Ashton-Atkson, an Atralian televisn reporter, cid to film his gby club as they went to the biannual Bgham Cup 2018, he uld never have imaged the posive reactn a documentary about would film Steelers is about London-based Kgs Cross Steelers, the world's first gay gby club and one of over 60 such sis world-wi. Although the stori the film are related to the stggl of g out, prsn, and a history of bullyg for beg gay, they're are told a way which wir dienc n empathise wh. "It's a story about a gay gby club, but 's also a story about human stggle, and people g sport and their sense of muny to help each other, which is universal, " Ashton-Atkson told ESPN.

"She's got a certifite for the hight achg level, and sce she left the Steelers she's been nsistently overlooked and not even shortlisted [for jobs] than men who are ls qualified and ls experienced than her, which is heart-breakg and disgtg, " Ashton-Atkson beg gay 2021 wtern society is often unremarkable today, you don't have to go back very far to fd trmatic stori. "But, if 's easier to e out now, then why do we need gay gby clubs?

WORLD'S FIRST GAY GBY CLUB THAT BEAT THE BIGOTS BY TACKLG HOMOPHOBIA GETS S OWN FILM

Tory Lord Hayward is ed to puzzled looks when people learn that he is founr and chairman of Kgs Cross Steelers - a gay gby team - who tell their story a new film. * kings cross gay rugby team *

"That's a thought that do go through your md, and while 's generally a posive there are still pockets of homophobia. Then, 2019, Atralia's Israel Fol spouted his famo anti-gay ments on Instagram, sayg "hell awas" gay opened the drawer and started the ed aga om scratch, and turned to the unnventnal documentary has bee.

JOG THE WORLD'S FIRST GAY GBY TEAM CHANGED MY LIFE. SO I MA A FILM ABOUT

The Kg’s Cross Steelers may not be a team on your radar, whether you’re gay or straight, but few clubs will have ma que the impact of the self-ma gby... * kings cross gay rugby team *

"Wh beg gay, you don't thk that I grew up sperately wantg to change my sexualy, like, wishg the gay away?

HOW AMAZON PRIME’S GAY GBY DOCUMENTARY STEELERS PLETELY FLIPS THE DISURSE OF MASTREAM LGBTQ+ STORI

A new documentary shows the world's first gay gby club challengg nventnal perceptns. * kings cross gay rugby team *

They were dubbed the tabloids as 'Harlequeens, ' there was homophobic ments, and a fear over ntractg HIV and AIDS. "For those of who grew up when wasn't ok to be gay, jt really before the ter was mon, there was huge stigma.

KGS CROSS STEELERS, THE WORLD’S FIRST GAY RUGBY TEAM, SOUND OFF ON TEAMWORK AND BROTHERHOOD

The world’s first gay gby club, the Kgs Cross Steelers, celebrat s 20th anniversary. * kings cross gay rugby team *

You had Margaret Thatcher's Sectn 28 [a law brought the UK by a Conservative ernment om 1988-2003 to the "prohib the promotn of homosexualy"], misnceptns about the HIV vis, " Ashton-Atkson explas.

STEELERS: HOW ANTI-GAY ROW SPIRED GBY FILM

A film about the world’s first gay gby team, the Kgs Cross Steelers, is stormg ftivals. It ptur the power of this team, wr Mark Smh * kings cross gay rugby team *

"For those guys who were settg up that team 1995, they were real trailblazers bee they were gog out to different teams Essex week--week out smashg down stereotyp one game of gby at a time and om what I heard, the men Essex, they had never met an openly gay man before, let alone an openly gay sportsman. However, "There are still issu wh homophobia and homophobic language beg ed on the pch.

"And one of the thgs we've been workg on wh Harlequs and Monash Universy is that a lot of that isn't actually homophobia, 's the culture of clubs, the challeng of languag not beg followed through. World's first gay gby club that beat the bigots by tacklg homophobia gets s own film 25 years after beg found by Tory peer Lord HaywardKg's Cross Steelers were first set up 1995 at the world's first gay gby clubThe team was found by Tory Lord Hayward, who is also s chairmanA documentary lled 'Steelers' is set to screen at the Glasgow film ftival A team member - a TV news reporter – said he was spired to make the film after Atralian gby player Israel Fol said 2019 that ‘hell awas’ homosexuals Published: 00:48 BST, 20 Febary 2021 | Updated: 08:32 BST, 20 Febary 2021. When the world’s first gay gby club was set up 1995, Rob Hayward had a stock reply to wags who asked if his team played pk shirts.

For a llectn of gay men we agreed remarkably quickly on our lours – midnight blue and emerald green! ’Tory Lord Hayward is ed to puzzled looks when people learn that he is founr and chairman of Kgs Cross Steelers – a gay gby team – who tell their story a new film. The club was found 1995 as the first gay Rugby club by Tory Lord, Robert HaywardBack the 1980s at the height of the Aids panmic, he sat silent rage on the Commons backbench as fellow Conservative MPs dulged anti-gay rhetoric.

WORLD’S FIRST GAY GBY CLUB TURNS 20: ‘NO-ONE HAD SEEN PLAYERS LIKE BEFORE’

A film about the world’s first gay gby team, the Kgs Cross Steelers, is stormg ftivals. It ptur the power of this team, wr Mark Smh * kings cross gay rugby team *

He felt ‘eply unfortable’, not least bee he was stgglg to e to terms wh his own electns expert who has advised Boris Johnson, Thera May and David Cameron, Hayward didn’t clare he was gay until a few years after he left the Commons was around the time he got volved wh the gby film featur players such as Drew McDowell, whose off-pch alter ego is drag queen ‘Drewalic’ member Eammon Ashton-Atkson – a TV news reporter – said he was spired to make the film after Atralian gby player Israel Fol said 2019 that ‘hell awas’ homosexuals.

And Hayward, 71, said opponents also shout homophobic tnts on the pch. But while other teams lim drkg, Steelers n e gay datg app Grdr for only a limed time to mata ‘disciple’.

‘FDG THIS MUNY IS HUGE’: STORY OF WORLD’S FIRST GAY GBY TEAM PTURED ON FILM

Kgs Cross Steelers, named after the NFL si om Ptsburgh, is the first gay gby club the world, and a new documentary film, Steelers, follows their journey om trma to triumph. * kings cross gay rugby team *

Pictured: Players for the Kg's Cross Steelers actn agast a rival team Club member Eammon Ashton-Atkson – a TV news reporter – said he was spired to make the film after Atralian gby player Israel Fol said 2019 that ‘hell awas’ homosexuals. Hayward retorted: ‘If they’re gog to be racist, what will they do when they fd out we’re all gay?

NEW ‘STEELERS’ DOCUMENTARY PROFIL BARRIER-BREAKG GAY BRISH GBY CLUB

They were terrified of ‘beg the first ever club to lose to a gay team’.

Hayward said that as the upg film shows, the club has been a lifele for many gay peopleThe Steelers are now a faiar part of the London gby scene.

GAY RUGBY PLAYERS TAKE IT ALL OFF FOR TTICULAR CANCER AWARENS PLAYERS – 52 | CLOTH – {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY ADAM SALANDRASEPTEMBER 28, 2017/4:02 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}YOUTUBE/ THE NAKED RUGBY PLAYERSBY ADAM SALANDRASEPTEMBER 28, 2017 / 4:02 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"GAY RUGBY PLAYERS TAKE IT ALL OFF FOR TTICULAR CANCER AWARENS","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-09-28T20:02:34.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-09-28T20:02:34.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"ADAM SALANDRA","KEYWORDS":"SPORTS","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SIX GAY-CLIVE GBY TEAMS THE U.K. HAD PLAYERS STRIP OFF ALL THEIR CLOTH FOR A 2018 LENDAR MEANT TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENS FOR TTICULAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} TNRP: SWANSEA VIKGSA POST SHARED BY THE NAKED RUGBY PLAYERS (@THENAKEDGBYPLAYERS) ON JUN 12, 2017 AT 5:53AM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PROCEEDS OM LENDAR SAL WILL BE SPL BETWEEN THE PARTICIPATG CLUBS AND GREAT BRA'S BALLS TO CANCER CHARY, WHICH RAIS FUNDS FOR MALE NCER AWARENS AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} TNRP: KGS CROSS STEELERSA POST SHARED BY THE NAKED RUGBY PLAYERS (@THENAKEDGBYPLAYERS) ON JUN 12, 2017 AT 5:53AM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SIX PARTICIPATG TEAMS WERE THE KGS CROSS STEELERS, SWANSEA VIKGS, NORTHAMPTON OUTLAWS, NEWSTLE RAVENS, EDBURGH THEBANS AND MANCHTER VILLAGE SPARTANS, AND THEY HAD A BED TOTAL OF 52 PLAYERS OFFERG TO GET NAKED FOR THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} TNRP: NORTHAMPTON OUTLAWSA POST SHARED BY THE NAKED RUGBY PLAYERS (@THENAKEDGBYPLAYERS) ON JUN 12, 2017 AT 5:52AM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PHOTOGRAPHER MONTY MCKNEN SNAPPED THE PICTUR FOR THE LENDAR AND SAID ON THE PROJECT'S WEBSE THAT HE ADMIR THE PLAYERS FOR BARG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"TURNG UP TO EACH CLUB WAS A CHALLENGE, AS WE DIDN’T KNOW WHO THE PLAYERS WOULD BE, OR HOW FORTABLE THEY’D BE WHEN WE ASKED THEM TO STRIP AND GET UP CLOSE TO POSE WH EACH OTHER," MCKNEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} TNRP: MANCHTER VILLAGE SPARTANSA POST SHARED BY THE NAKED RUGBY PLAYERS (@THENAKEDGBYPLAYERS) ON JUN 12, 2017 AT 5:51AM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT TURNED OUT THE END THEY DIDN’T NEED MUCH ENURAGEMENT," HE ADD. "IN FACT, AT ONE CLUB, WE TURNED AROUND TO FD THEM ALL STANDG THERE NAKED ON THE PCH BEFORE I’D EVEN GOT THE MERA OUT!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} TNRP: NEWSTLE RAVENSA POST SHARED BY THE NAKED RUGBY PLAYERS (@THENAKEDGBYPLAYERS) ON JUN 12, 2017 AT 5:48AM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HEAD HERE FOR MORE RMATN AND TO PICK UP A LENDAR OF YOUR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Hayward said that as the film shows, the club has been a lifele for many gay people. 3 days ago - En HannamShare via Raffle 2023We have an amazg range of priz valued at over £10, 000News23 Jun9th Circle of HeavenThe world's biggt gay gby fundraisg show returns for s NINTH fun-filled outg on Friday 23 June. To mark their 20th anniversary as the UK's first gay gby team, the Kgs Cross Steelers stipped down and posed for a new book to be published by die 'ze Meat.

All the players were photographed by Meat's founr, Adrian, who started Meat 2010, said that he was "tired of the body shamg that go on wh the gay muny. " His aim is to "celebrate the bodi of 'ordary gay men.

The Steelers has not only helped pave the way for clive gby teams but also helped hanged perceptns about gay sportsmen. "Alex Smh, Chairman of the Kgs Cross Steelers said: "Dpe so much progrs over the last 20 years, n still be very difficult to be an out gay man, ma even more so by a lot of unhelpful noise around how to be, act or look wh the muny. "He add: "For two s, our club has helped hundreds of men - big, small, gay or straight - realize the great maxim about gby: that is a game for people of all shap and siz - tly a sport for everyone.

NEW ‘STEELERS’ DOCUMENTARY PROFIL BARRIER-BREAKG GAY BRISH GBY CLUB

Found 1995 is the world’s first gay-clive gby unn club. Its foundg sparked the begng of a much larger gay-clive gby movement which to date clus over 60 clubs across the world. In 2009, the club hosted, and won, the Unn Cup – a biennial tournament for gay gby clubs Europe.

The former Wallabi prop scribed a moment when he was drivg recklsly, the feelg of “ath felt preferable to anybody disverg [he] was gay. Not jt any gby club, the world’s first gay gby club, the Kgs Cross Steelers London.

Here, queer people were reclaimg their place on the pch – an arena they grew up beg told they didn’t belong Israel Fol began postg “hell awas homosexuals” on social media I realised I had to tell the story of the club – and my own story. Photograph: One Man Band MediaIn fact, om this sgle club, there are now 80 gay and clive gby clubs around the world cludg five Atralia. There was the ocsnal homophobic sledge, but over time the Steelers won the rpect of the straight burly Brish men bee not only did they beat them on ocsn, they showed them that we’re all pretty much the forward to me takg my mera to Amsterdam to film the club at the Bgham Cup, the world cup of “rabow” gby.

‘FDG THIS MUNY IS HUGE’: STORY OF WORLD’S FIRST GAY GBY TEAM PTURED ON FILM

It was only when Israel Fol began postg “hell awas homosexuals” on social media that I realised I had to tell the story of the club – and my own like Dan Palmer, I too have Fol to thank small part.

His pennt documentary Steelers: the World’s First Gay Rugby Club is cemas across Atralia now.

HEARD OF THE STEELERS? NO, NOT THEM, THE GAY GBY TEAM OM LONDON

Joy, celebratn, acceptance – Steelers has a place for everyone (Picture: Amazon Prime)The Kg’s Cross Steelers may not be a team on your radar, whether you’re gay or straight, but few clubs will have ma que the impact of the self-ma gby teamed found a north London pub 25 years ago. The film follows the Steelers as they make the biannual pilgrimage to the Bgham World Cup where, 25 years after the Steelers was formed, a further 60 clubs worldwi followed s lead, and now every two years they e together and battle out – savagely – the biggt gay gby tournament the world. As turned out, he soon found a new fay – a team of gay men om all walks of LGBTQ+ life wh a shared love, passn, and talent for the sport which many gay men have otherwise been exclud om.

The Kgs Cross Steelers attempt to w the gay gby world cup (Picture: Kgs Cross Steeelrs)‘I was lookg around the club and I realised wasn’t jt me who had felt this impact, was every sgle player.

GAY RUGBY LEAGUE HS THE LOCKER ROOM FOR "MEAT" MAGAZEGUARANTEED PHOTOSHOP-EE! ?{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CULTUREBY MATTHEW THARRETTAPRIL 14, 2016/2:55 PMBY MATTHEW THARRETTAPRIL 14, 2016 / 2:55 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"GAY RUGBY LEAGUE HS THE LOCKER ROOM FOR \"MEAT\" MAGAZE","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-04-14T18:55:10.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-04-14T18:55:10.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MATTHEW THARRETT","ARTICLESECTN":"CULTURE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE HUNKY DUS OF THE LONDON-BASED KGS CROSS STEELERS, THE WORLD'S FIRST EVER GAY-CLIVE GBY UNN, ARE MARKG THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY WH A STEAMY NEW BOOK SHOT BY MEAT MAGAZE FOUNR ADRIAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A CHAMPN FOR BODY POSIVY, LOURIE PRIS HIMSELF ON WORKG WH SUBJECTS THAT DON'T F THE STEREOTYPIL STANDARD, AND LNCHED MEAT 2010 BEE HE WAS "TIRED OF THE BODY SHAMG THAT GO ON WH THE GAY MUNY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT'S WHY HIS LLABORATN WH THE KGS CROSS STEELERS MA "PERFECT SENSE," LOURIE TOLD GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR "MEAT THE KGS CROSS STEELERS," HE SHOT 29 MEN OF THE TEAM'S 200 A NO-ILLS LOCKER ROOM SERI THAT HAS THE GUYS STRIPPG OUT OF THEIR SWEATY UNIFORMS AND DOWN TO THEIR REMARKABLY "ORDARY" BIRTHDAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"DPE SO MUCH PROGRS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, N STILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO BE AN OUT GAY MAN, MA EVEN MORE SO BY A LOT OF UNHELPFUL NOISE AROUND HOW TO BE, ACT OR LOOK WH THE MUNY," SAID ALEX SMH, TEAM CHAIRMAN. "THAT’S WHY I’M PROUD THAT THE KGS CROSS STEELERS HAVE PARTNERED WH MEAT MAGAZE TO HELP SHOW THAT ANYONE N BE A P-UP BY SIMPLY BEG YOURSELF."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"FOR TWO S, OUR CLUB HAS HELPED HUNDREDS OF MEN – BIG, SMALL, GAY OR STRAIGHT – REALIZE THE GREAT MAXIM ABOUT GBY: THAT IS A GAME FOR PEOPLE OF ALL SHAP AND SIZ – TLY A SPORT FOR EVERYONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HALF OF ALL PROCEEDS OM "MEAT THE KGS CROSS STEELERS" WILL BENEF THE TEAM, WHICH IS TRAVELG TO NASHVILLE NEXT MONTH TO PETE AGAST AN INTERNATNAL ROSTER OF GAY-CLIVE GBY LEAGU AT THE BGHAM CUP. YOU N PICK UP YOUR PY TODAY AT !{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHECK OUT MORE OM THE MAGAZE BELOW, CLUDG SOME TILLATG BEHD-THE-SCEN FOOTAGE OM THE SHOOT:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}H/T {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

I was tryg to work out what was about gay gby that was so special and a benef for all the queer people – mental health benefs om sport and beg able to form a relatnship away om dgs and alhol as well as reclaimg that place on the sportg pch where we’re told we don’t belong. So often, when gay people are seen on screen, our stori are tragic – ath, disease, margalisatn, abe.

GAY GBY TEAM KG’S CROSS STEELERS W 2011 UNN CUP

Simon is a player who me out as gay his early 30s and Steelers talks ankly about his prsn after sperately supprsg his sexualy, clgg on to hope that wouldn’t matter. He was more than a gay man, and uld clg onto the rt of him bee surely that would be enough and life, at the very least, would be bearable. Simon didn’t e out until his early 30s and his urage is celebrated Steelers (Picture: Kgs Cross Steelers)Eventually, he told his fay and iends he was gay but was jilted when he told a bt iend, who was straight, he was love wh him.

If they ronate, not only wh gay viewers but all sexuali and genrs, and if people n see hope and see you belong to somethg then the story has much more of an impact than beg a niche gay film.

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* KINGS CROSS GAY RUGBY TEAM

World's first gay gby club 20 years on | CNN .

TOP