Former Atralian Pro Rugby Player Casey Conway Talks For First Time About Beg Gay - Towleroad Gay News

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• CASEY CONWAY BAR ALL: BEG A GAY ABORIGAL MAN PROFSNAL SPORTAS A FORMER RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER, A MOL AND A YOUTH WORKER, STRADDLG WORLDS IS WHAT CASEY CONWAY DO BT. BUT BEG A GAY, ABORIGAL MAN THE WORLD OF PROFSNAL SPORT REQUIRED A PARTICULARLY FE BALANCG ACT.CASEY CONWAY SPEAKS ABOUT GBY LEAGUE, RACE AND BARG ALL. SOURCE: RSELL FLEMG / SLUGGERS SWIMWEARATRALIAN SPORT HASN'T PROVEN SELF TO BE A BASTN OF RACIAL OR SOCIAL HARMONY, PECIALLY OF LATE. SO ONE N ONLY IMAGE THE ANXIETY CASEY CONWAY FELT MOVG OM CENTRAL QUEENSLAND TO SYDNEY TO PLAY THE NATNAL RUGBY LEAGUE (NRL) STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.NOT ONLY WAS HE A SMALL-TOWN ABORIGAL TEEN THST TO THE SPOTLIGHT A NEW CY, BUT HE WAS LEADG WHAT HE LLS A "DOUBLE LIFE", EXPLORG HIS SEXUAL INTY SYDNEY’S GAY SCENE WHILE KEEPG HIS RELATNSHIPS PRIVATE OM HIS TEAMMAT.A BARADA MAN, CONWAY GREW UP ONE OF FIVE BOYS THE SMALL TOWN OF BLUFF, A UPLE OF HOURS WT OF ROCKHAMPTON. HE PLAYED FOOTBALL OM THE AGE OF SIX AND WAS TED AT ST BRENDAN'S COLLEGE YEPPOON – A BOARDG SCHOOL WH A SPECIALISED GBY LEAGUE PROGRAM WELL-KNOWN FOR PRODUCG POTENTIAL NRL PLAYERS. IT WAS HERE HE WAS SUTED FOR HIS BIG BREAK WH THE SYDNEY ROOSTERS.JOG THE TEAM'S JERSEY FLEGG OUTF (NOW KNOWN AS THE NRL'S NATNAL YOUTH COMPETN/HOLN CUP) 2003, HE WAS STILL UNSURE ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, BEFORE EVENTUALLY ADMTG TO CLUB OFFICIALS THAT HE WAS GAY."I WAS UP-AND-G, SO THEY WERE UT ABOUT GOG ABOUT THE RIGHT WAY," HE EXPLAED."THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS LOOKG AFTER MYSELF AND ACCSG THE SUPPORT THAT I NEED, AND THEY WERE NCERNED ABOUT THE CLUB'S IMAGE."DPE DISCSG HIS SEXUALY WH CLUB MANAGEMENT, CONWAY SAID HE REMAED UNFORTABLE ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF REVEALG HE WAS GAY TO HIS TEAMMAT AS HE STGGLED TO RENCILE HIS RAL UPBRGG WH HIS NEW LIFE SYDNEY.I WAS DOG THAT UNRVER AND FALLY ME TO A POT WHERE I HAD TO START ACCEPTG ."I WAS OUT-AND-ABOUT ON THE [GAY] SCENE AND MEETG PEOPLE. I WAS DOG THAT UNRVER AND FALLY ME TO A POT WHERE I HAD TO START ACCEPTG . I WANTED MORE THAN WHAT I WAS HAVG," HE SAID.IF CONWAY WAS EXPECTG A LS RIGID ENVIRONMENT WHICH TO EXPRS HIMSELF OUTSI THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL, HE SOON DISVERED HE’D HAVE TO NAVIGATE OTHER FORMS OF IGNORANCE OM WH THE GAY MUNY."THERE WAS A LOT OF SUAL RACISM. PEOPLE WOULD SAY THGS LIKE, 'YOU'RE HOT FOR AN ABORIGAL GUY' OR 'I'VE NEVER BEEN WH A BLACK GUY'. I'D THK, 'YOU KNOW THAT’S NOT A PLIMENT?'."TRAVERSG WORLDS AS A MEMBER OF BOTH RACIAL AND SEXUAL MORI PROVED TO BE BOTH A MEFIELD AND A UNIQUE SIGHT TO THE DISCRIMATN FACED BY BOTH MUNI.WHEN ANTHONY MUNDE FAMOLY CLAIMED THAT HOMOSEXUALY AND ABORIGAL CULTURE DIDN'T MIX, FOLLOWG AN EPISO OF THE ABC'S REDFERN NOW PROGRAM 2013, CONWAY WAS AGHAST AT THE THOUGHT OF ANOTHER ABORIGAL FORMER NRL PLAYER G HIS PLATFORM TO PREACH TOLERANCE.FOR SOMEONE LIKE HIM A POSN OF FLUENCE THE ABORIGAL MUNY, WAS REALLY DISAPPOTG"I DON'T THK [HIS MENTS] WERE REFLECTIVE OF THE ABORIGAL MUNY AT ALL. FOR SOMEONE LIKE HIM A POSN OF FLUENCE THE ABORIGAL MUNY, WAS REALLY DISAPPOTG," HE SAID.NOW A FULL-TIME YOUTH VELOPMENT ORDATOR FOR A SMALL NON-FOR-PROF ON QUEENSLAND’S GOLD COAST, CONWAY SAID HE SE THE DIRECT IMPACT OF THOSE TYPE OF MENTS ON YOUNG PEOPLE G TO TERMS WH THEIR SEXUALY."THERE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE HEARG MENTS LIKE THAT AND THEY'RE QUTNG THEMSELV. I KNOW WHAT WAS LIKE TO BE THE UNTRY AND THK, 'OH SH, I THK I'M GAY'. AT THAT TIME THERE WASN'T REALLY A BIG PH THE MEDIA FOR EQUALY," HE SAID."I'VE WORKED WH KIDS WHO ARE HOMELS BEE THEY'VE BEEN KICKED OUT OF HOME WHEN THEY ME OUT [AS GAY]. THEY'RE SUFFERG NOT ONLY BEE THEY DON'T HAVE A HOME, BUT BEE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND A RAFT OF OTHER ISSU."CONWAY SAID HE'S SEEN A SHIFT THE ATTUS OF PROFSNAL ATHLETDPE MENTS LIKE MUNDE'S, CONWAY SAID HE'S SEEN A SHIFT THE ATTUS OF PROFSNAL ATHLET, EVEN THOUGH FEW HAVE CHOSEN TO REVEAL THEY’RE GAY THEMSELV."THERE'S NOT TOO MANY WHO HAVE E FORWARD, BUT I FELY THK THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE. THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT SPORTG INTI, CLUBS AND S THAT ARE SAYG, 'WE'RE FOR EQUALY'. I THK THAT’S REALLY GREAT. IT'S REALLY POSIVE."CONWAY ME OUT TO HIS FORMER TEAMMAT AFTER HE LEFT THE SYDNEY ROOSTERS 2005 – ALL OF WHOM, HE SAID, WERE PLETELY SUPPORTIVE.AFTER A BRIEF STT THE FNS DTRY, HE BEME THE FACE OF ATRALIAN SWIMWEAR AND UNRWEAR BRAND, SSIEBUM, BREAKG NEW GROUND AS AN ABORIGAL MALE MOL ON THE TERNATNAL STAGE."IT WAS FUN, BUT AT TIM A LTLE B OVERWHELMG. THE BRAND WAS REALLY GROWG AT THAT TIME. I WAS ON GIANT BILLBOARDS LOS ANGEL AND ON THE SI OF B LONDON," HE SAID.NOW THE FACE (AND BODY) OF THE SLUGGERS SWIMWEAR BRAND'S SUMMER MPAIGN, CONWAY STILL TENDS TO FOC ON HIS YOUTH WORK AFTER MORE THAN SIX YEARS HELPG YOUNG PEOPLE TO REENGAGE WH SCHOOL, EMPLOYMENT AND THE MUNY."MOLG IS A SI THG. I LOVE MY WORK AND I’M NOT WILLG TO LET GO OF AT THE MOMENT," HE SAID."I'M TRYG TO E MY MORE PUBLIC PROFILE AS A PLATFORM TO GET MY VIEWS OUT, BUT I ALSO THK YOUNG PEOPLE APPRECIATE THAT I’M NOW JT AN EVERYDAY TYPE OF GUY, RATHER THAN A SGER OR AN ATHLETE. IT HELPS TO GET THOSE MSAG ACROSS."SHARE5 M READPUBLISHED 23 OCTOBER 2015 10:44AMUPDATED 23 OCTOBER 2015 10:47AMBY DREW SHELDRICKTAGSJTICECOUNTRYSOCIAL ISSUNEW SOUTH WALSYDNEYSHARE THIS WH FAY AND IENDSCOPY LKSHAREPOPULAR PODSTS
• FORMER ATRALIAN PRO RUGBY PLAYER CASEY CONWAY TALKS FOR FIRST TIME ABOUT BEG GAY
• CASEY CONWAY: GAY FORMER NRL PLAYER AND INDIGENO MOL, BE FACE OF NT SEXUAL HEALTH MPAIGN
• OUT RUGBY HUNK CASEY CONWAY TIRED OF HEARG "I'VE NEVER BEEN WH A BLACK GUY""THERE WAS A LOT OF SUAL RACISM." {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;}CELEBRIBY ADAM SALANDRAOCTOBER 25, 2015/10:25 AMBY ADAM SALANDRAOCTOBER 25, 2015 / 10:25 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"OUT RUGBY HUNK CASEY CONWAY TIRED OF HEARG \"I'VE NEVER BEEN WH A BLACK GUY\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-10-25T14:25:45.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-10-25T14:25:45.000+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":"ADAM SALANDRA","ARTICLESECTN":"CELEBRI"}{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;}FORMER NATNAL RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER CASEY CONWAY RECENTLY ME OUT TO THE PUBLIC AS A GAY MAN, AND NOW THE PRO ATHLETE AND MOL IS GIVG MORE TAILS ON HIS PAST "DOUBLE 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;}CONWAY SAID NOT ONLY DID HE SPEND A LOT OF TIME HIDG OM THE PRUMED JUDGEMENTS OF HIS TEAMMAT ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, BUT HE ALSO HAD TO ACCEPT FEELG JUDGED FOR BEG AN DIGENO {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;}"THERE WAS A LOT OF SUAL RACISM," SAID CONWAY. "PEOPLE WOULD SAY THGS LIKE, ‘YOU’RE HOT FOR AN ABORIGAL GUY’ OR ‘I’VE NEVER BEEN WH A BLACK GUY.' I’D THK, ‘YOU KNOW THAT’S NOT A PLIMENT?’.”{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;}CONWAY'S WORK AS A YOUTH VELOPMENT ORDATOR FOR A SMALL NON-PROF QUEENSLAND HAS MA HIM AWARE THAT LGBT YOUTH HAVE TO AL WH THE ISSU AND A LOT {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;}“THERE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE HEARG MENTS LIKE THAT AND THEY’RE QUTNG THEMSELV. I KNOW WHAT WAS LIKE TO BE THE UNTRY AND THK, ‘OH SH-T, I THK I’M GAY.' AT THAT TIME THERE WASN’T REALLY A BIG PH THE MEDIA FOR EQUALY. I’VE WORKED WH KIDS WHO ARE HOMELS BEE THEY’VE BEEN KICKED OUT OF HOME WHEN THEY ME OUT [AS GAY]. THEY’RE SUFFERG NOT ONLY BEE THEY DON’T HAVE A HOME, BUT BEE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND A RAFT OF OTHER ISSU.”{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: TOWLEROAD {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
• FORMER ROOSTERS PLAYER WHO ME OUT AS GAY HAMMERS MANLY'S BOYTTG PLAYERS
• OUT FORMER GBY STAR OPENS UP ABOUT RACISM GAY MUNY
• WHAT MEANS TO BE GAY RUGBY LEAGUE

CASEY CONWAY BAR ALL: BEG A GAY ABORIGAL MAN PROFSNAL SPORTAS A FORMER RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER, A MOL AND A YOUTH WORKER, STRADDLG WORLDS IS WHAT CASEY CONWAY DO BT. BUT BEG A GAY, ABORIGAL MAN THE WORLD OF PROFSNAL SPORT REQUIRED A PARTICULARLY FE BALANCG ACT.CASEY CONWAY SPEAKS ABOUT GBY LEAGUE, RACE AND BARG ALL. SOURCE: RSELL FLEMG / SLUGGERS SWIMWEARATRALIAN SPORT HASN'T PROVEN SELF TO BE A BASTN OF RACIAL OR SOCIAL HARMONY, PECIALLY OF LATE. SO ONE N ONLY IMAGE THE ANXIETY CASEY CONWAY FELT MOVG OM CENTRAL QUEENSLAND TO SYDNEY TO PLAY THE NATNAL RUGBY LEAGUE (NRL) STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.NOT ONLY WAS HE A SMALL-TOWN ABORIGAL TEEN THST TO THE SPOTLIGHT A NEW CY, BUT HE WAS LEADG WHAT HE LLS A "DOUBLE LIFE", EXPLORG HIS SEXUAL INTY SYDNEY’S GAY SCENE WHILE KEEPG HIS RELATNSHIPS PRIVATE OM HIS TEAMMAT.A BARADA MAN, CONWAY GREW UP ONE OF FIVE BOYS THE SMALL TOWN OF BLUFF, A UPLE OF HOURS WT OF ROCKHAMPTON. HE PLAYED FOOTBALL OM THE AGE OF SIX AND WAS TED AT ST BRENDAN'S COLLEGE YEPPOON – A BOARDG SCHOOL WH A SPECIALISED GBY LEAGUE PROGRAM WELL-KNOWN FOR PRODUCG POTENTIAL NRL PLAYERS. IT WAS HERE HE WAS SUTED FOR HIS BIG BREAK WH THE SYDNEY ROOSTERS.JOG THE TEAM'S JERSEY FLEGG OUTF (NOW KNOWN AS THE NRL'S NATNAL YOUTH COMPETN/HOLN CUP) 2003, HE WAS STILL UNSURE ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, BEFORE EVENTUALLY ADMTG TO CLUB OFFICIALS THAT HE WAS GAY."I WAS UP-AND-G, SO THEY WERE UT ABOUT GOG ABOUT THE RIGHT WAY," HE EXPLAED."THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS LOOKG AFTER MYSELF AND ACCSG THE SUPPORT THAT I NEED, AND THEY WERE NCERNED ABOUT THE CLUB'S IMAGE."DPE DISCSG HIS SEXUALY WH CLUB MANAGEMENT, CONWAY SAID HE REMAED UNFORTABLE ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF REVEALG HE WAS GAY TO HIS TEAMMAT AS HE STGGLED TO RENCILE HIS RAL UPBRGG WH HIS NEW LIFE SYDNEY.I WAS DOG THAT UNRVER AND FALLY ME TO A POT WHERE I HAD TO START ACCEPTG ."I WAS OUT-AND-ABOUT ON THE [GAY] SCENE AND MEETG PEOPLE. I WAS DOG THAT UNRVER AND FALLY ME TO A POT WHERE I HAD TO START ACCEPTG . I WANTED MORE THAN WHAT I WAS HAVG," HE SAID.IF CONWAY WAS EXPECTG A LS RIGID ENVIRONMENT WHICH TO EXPRS HIMSELF OUTSI THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL, HE SOON DISVERED HE’D HAVE TO NAVIGATE OTHER FORMS OF IGNORANCE OM WH THE GAY MUNY."THERE WAS A LOT OF SUAL RACISM. PEOPLE WOULD SAY THGS LIKE, 'YOU'RE HOT FOR AN ABORIGAL GUY' OR 'I'VE NEVER BEEN WH A BLACK GUY'. I'D THK, 'YOU KNOW THAT’S NOT A PLIMENT?'."TRAVERSG WORLDS AS A MEMBER OF BOTH RACIAL AND SEXUAL MORI PROVED TO BE BOTH A MEFIELD AND A UNIQUE SIGHT TO THE DISCRIMATN FACED BY BOTH MUNI.WHEN ANTHONY MUNDE FAMOLY CLAIMED THAT HOMOSEXUALY AND ABORIGAL CULTURE DIDN'T MIX, FOLLOWG AN EPISO OF THE ABC'S REDFERN NOW PROGRAM 2013, CONWAY WAS AGHAST AT THE THOUGHT OF ANOTHER ABORIGAL FORMER NRL PLAYER G HIS PLATFORM TO PREACH TOLERANCE.FOR SOMEONE LIKE HIM A POSN OF FLUENCE THE ABORIGAL MUNY, WAS REALLY DISAPPOTG"I DON'T THK [HIS MENTS] WERE REFLECTIVE OF THE ABORIGAL MUNY AT ALL. FOR SOMEONE LIKE HIM A POSN OF FLUENCE THE ABORIGAL MUNY, WAS REALLY DISAPPOTG," HE SAID.NOW A FULL-TIME YOUTH VELOPMENT ORDATOR FOR A SMALL NON-FOR-PROF ON QUEENSLAND’S GOLD COAST, CONWAY SAID HE SE THE DIRECT IMPACT OF THOSE TYPE OF MENTS ON YOUNG PEOPLE G TO TERMS WH THEIR SEXUALY."THERE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE HEARG MENTS LIKE THAT AND THEY'RE QUTNG THEMSELV. I KNOW WHAT WAS LIKE TO BE THE UNTRY AND THK, 'OH SH, I THK I'M GAY'. AT THAT TIME THERE WASN'T REALLY A BIG PH THE MEDIA FOR EQUALY," HE SAID."I'VE WORKED WH KIDS WHO ARE HOMELS BEE THEY'VE BEEN KICKED OUT OF HOME WHEN THEY ME OUT [AS GAY]. THEY'RE SUFFERG NOT ONLY BEE THEY DON'T HAVE A HOME, BUT BEE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND A RAFT OF OTHER ISSU."CONWAY SAID HE'S SEEN A SHIFT THE ATTUS OF PROFSNAL ATHLETDPE MENTS LIKE MUNDE'S, CONWAY SAID HE'S SEEN A SHIFT THE ATTUS OF PROFSNAL ATHLET, EVEN THOUGH FEW HAVE CHOSEN TO REVEAL THEY’RE GAY THEMSELV."THERE'S NOT TOO MANY WHO HAVE E FORWARD, BUT I FELY THK THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE. THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT SPORTG INTI, CLUBS AND S THAT ARE SAYG, 'WE'RE FOR EQUALY'. I THK THAT’S REALLY GREAT. IT'S REALLY POSIVE."CONWAY ME OUT TO HIS FORMER TEAMMAT AFTER HE LEFT THE SYDNEY ROOSTERS 2005 – ALL OF WHOM, HE SAID, WERE PLETELY SUPPORTIVE.AFTER A BRIEF STT THE FNS DTRY, HE BEME THE FACE OF ATRALIAN SWIMWEAR AND UNRWEAR BRAND, SSIEBUM, BREAKG NEW GROUND AS AN ABORIGAL MALE MOL ON THE TERNATNAL STAGE."IT WAS FUN, BUT AT TIM A LTLE B OVERWHELMG. THE BRAND WAS REALLY GROWG AT THAT TIME. I WAS ON GIANT BILLBOARDS LOS ANGEL AND ON THE SI OF B LONDON," HE SAID.NOW THE FACE (AND BODY) OF THE SLUGGERS SWIMWEAR BRAND'S SUMMER MPAIGN, CONWAY STILL TENDS TO FOC ON HIS YOUTH WORK AFTER MORE THAN SIX YEARS HELPG YOUNG PEOPLE TO REENGAGE WH SCHOOL, EMPLOYMENT AND THE MUNY."MOLG IS A SI THG. I LOVE MY WORK AND I’M NOT WILLG TO LET GO OF AT THE MOMENT," HE SAID."I'M TRYG TO E MY MORE PUBLIC PROFILE AS A PLATFORM TO GET MY VIEWS OUT, BUT I ALSO THK YOUNG PEOPLE APPRECIATE THAT I’M NOW JT AN EVERYDAY TYPE OF GUY, RATHER THAN A SGER OR AN ATHLETE. IT HELPS TO GET THOSE MSAG ACROSS."SHARE5 M READPUBLISHED 23 OCTOBER 2015 10:44AMUPDATED 23 OCTOBER 2015 10:47AMBY DREW SHELDRICKTAGSJTICECOUNTRYSOCIAL ISSUNEW SOUTH WALSYDNEYSHARE THIS WH FAY AND IENDSCOPY LKSHAREPOPULAR PODSTS

So one n only image the anxiety Casey Conway felt movg om Central Queensland to Sydney to play the Natnal Rugby League (NRL) straight out of high only was he a small-town Aborigal teen thst to the spotlight a new cy, but he was leadg what he lls a "double life", explorg his sexual inty Sydney’s gay scene while keepg his relatnships private om his teammat. Jog the team's Jersey Flegg outf (now known as the NRL's Natnal Youth Competn/Holn Cup) 2003, he was still unsure about his sexualy, before eventually admtg to club officials that he was gay.

FORMER ATRALIAN PRO RUGBY PLAYER CASEY CONWAY TALKS FOR FIRST TIME ABOUT BEG GAY

"Dpe discsg his sexualy wh club management, Conway said he remaed unfortable about the prospect of revealg he was gay to his teammat as he stggled to rencile his ral upbrgg wh his new life Sydney.

"I was out-and-about on the [gay] scene and meetg people. I wanted more than what I was havg, " he Conway was expectg a ls rigid environment which to exprs himself outsi the world of football, he soon disvered he’d have to navigate other forms of ignorance om wh the gay muny.

"Traversg worlds as a member of both racial and sexual mori proved to be both a mefield and a unique sight to the discrimatn faced by both Anthony Munde famoly claimed that homosexualy and Aborigal culture didn't mix, followg an episo of the ABC's Redfern Now program 2013, Conway was aghast at the thought of another Aborigal former NRL player g his platform to preach someone like him a posn of fluence the Aborigal muny, was really disappotg"I don't thk [his ments] were reflective of the Aborigal muny at all. I know what was like to be the untry and thk, 'Oh sh, I thk I'm gay'.

CASEY CONWAY: GAY FORMER NRL PLAYER AND INDIGENO MOL, BE FACE OF NT SEXUAL HEALTH MPAIGN

"I've worked wh kids who are homels bee they've been kicked out of home when they me out [as gay].

"Conway said he's seen a shift the attus of profsnal athletDpe ments like Munde's, Conway said he's seen a shift the attus of profsnal athlet, even though few have chosen to reveal they’re gay themselv.

OUT RUGBY HUNK CASEY CONWAY TIRED OF HEARG "I'VE NEVER BEEN WH A BLACK GUY""THERE WAS A LOT OF SUAL RACISM." {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;}CELEBRIBY ADAM SALANDRAOCTOBER 25, 2015/10:25 AMBY ADAM SALANDRAOCTOBER 25, 2015 / 10:25 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"OUT RUGBY HUNK CASEY CONWAY TIRED OF HEARG \"I'VE NEVER BEEN WH A BLACK GUY\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-10-25T14:25:45.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-10-25T14:25:45.000+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":"ADAM SALANDRA","ARTICLESECTN":"CELEBRI"}{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;}FORMER NATNAL RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER CASEY CONWAY RECENTLY ME OUT TO THE PUBLIC AS A GAY MAN, AND NOW THE PRO ATHLETE AND MOL IS GIVG MORE TAILS ON HIS PAST "DOUBLE 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;}CONWAY SAID NOT ONLY DID HE SPEND A LOT OF TIME HIDG OM THE PRUMED JUDGEMENTS OF HIS TEAMMAT ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, BUT HE ALSO HAD TO ACCEPT FEELG JUDGED FOR BEG AN DIGENO {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;}"THERE WAS A LOT OF SUAL RACISM," SAID CONWAY. "PEOPLE WOULD SAY THGS LIKE, ‘YOU’RE HOT FOR AN ABORIGAL GUY’ OR ‘I’VE NEVER BEEN WH A BLACK GUY.' I’D THK, ‘YOU KNOW THAT’S NOT A PLIMENT?’.”{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;}CONWAY'S WORK AS A YOUTH VELOPMENT ORDATOR FOR A SMALL NON-PROF QUEENSLAND HAS MA HIM AWARE THAT LGBT YOUTH HAVE TO AL WH THE ISSU AND A LOT {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;}“THERE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE HEARG MENTS LIKE THAT AND THEY’RE QUTNG THEMSELV. I KNOW WHAT WAS LIKE TO BE THE UNTRY AND THK, ‘OH SH-T, I THK I’M GAY.' AT THAT TIME THERE WASN’T REALLY A BIG PH THE MEDIA FOR EQUALY. I’VE WORKED WH KIDS WHO ARE HOMELS BEE THEY’VE BEEN KICKED OUT OF HOME WHEN THEY ME OUT [AS GAY]. THEY’RE SUFFERG NOT ONLY BEE THEY DON’T HAVE A HOME, BUT BEE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND A RAFT OF OTHER ISSU.”{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: TOWLEROAD {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

Casey Conway, a former Natnal Rugby League (NRL) player for the Sydney Roosters, youth advote, and fashn mol, has e out as gay publicly an terview wh Atralia's Special Broadstg Service (SBS). Says Conway: “I was out-and-about on the [gay] scene and meetg people.

RELATED: USA Rugby and Int'l Gay Rugby Sign Agreement to Rid the Sport of Homophobia.

I know what was like to be the untry and thk, ‘Oh sh-t, I thk I'm gay'.

FORMER ROOSTERS PLAYER WHO ME OUT AS GAY HAMMERS MANLY'S BOYTTG PLAYERS

I've worked wh kids who are homels bee they've been kicked out of home when they me out [as gay]. Casey Conway reprents a triple-threat for anisers of the Northern Terrory's latt sexual health mpaign as a former natnal gby league (NRL) player who is Aborigal and gay.

It is also Conway's latt move to e his public profile to help raise awarens about issu affectg both the gay and aborigal muni. "It wasn't until I moved to Sydney and saw that world for myself and was able to meet other gay people that sort of normalised a b for me.

OUT FORMER GBY STAR OPENS UP ABOUT RACISM GAY MUNY

He said he lacked gay role mols while growg up, and hoped his volvement the mpaign would also send a broar msage to those stgglg wh their sexualy.

"It is okay to be gay, you n still be yourself, don't change who you are or that you belong society, " Conway said. 2 m readFormer Natnal Rugby League (NRL) player for the Sydney Roosters, Casey Conway has spoken out about beg a gay, Aborigal man the world of profsnal sport. The former Roosters player said that he was leadg a “double life, ” hidg his sexualy om his teammat whilst sometim tryg to navigate the gay club scene Sydney.

Conway believ that his experienc the gay scene helped him e to terms wh his sexualy, however, he would often receive racist remarks.

WHAT MEANS TO BE GAY RUGBY LEAGUE

I know what was like to be the untry and thk, ‘Oh sh, I thk I’m gay’. The news team for Gay Natn love tips om our rears. Vis the Gay Natn store Now.

Former Natnal Rugby League player Casey Conway recently me out to the public as a gay man, and now the pro athlete and mol is givg more tails on his past "double life. I know what was like to be the untry and thk, ‘Oh sh-t, I thk I’m gay.

I’ve worked wh kids who are homels bee they’ve been kicked out of home when they me out [as gay]. Former Roosters player who me out as gay HAMMERS Manly's boyttg players: 'They don't serve to be part of somethg great'Casey Conway played for the Sydney Roosters' Jersey Flegg Cup team 2003His promisg gby league reer was cut short 2005 by a shoulr jury Sce then he has been an advote for the LGBT and Indigeno muniHe has slammed Manly players boyttg the first ever pri strip the NRL Updated: 08:25 BST, 26 July 2022. He has lashed the Manly players Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schter, Hmole Olak’atu, Tolut Koula and Toafofoa Sipley along wh the replacements who reportedly also refed to play for Manly on Thursday bee the club is rollg out a gay pri jersey agast the Sydney Roosters.

He me out as gay 2005 after jury end his reerConway me out 2005 after his gby league ambns were cshed, but he knew he was gay long before says that Roosters officials were told, but they asked him to supprs his nfsn and he was forced to a secret life outsi of football to be his te self.

It’s a no braer that gay men have to al wh homophobia this world, sometim even om wh their own muny, but ’s also te that racism is a prevalent issue the gay muny when to the datg scene.

In a new terview wh NITV, Conway, who is an openly gay Aborigal Atralian, spoke about his cisn to e out of the closet. “I was out-and-about on the [gay] scene and meetg people.