Stonewall names Gareth Thomas hero of the year

Openly gay rugby legend Gareth Thomas was named Stonewall Hero of the Year at the campaigning charity’s Stonewall Awards in London last night.  The former Lions star, who now plays for league side Crusaders, became the first openly gay professional rugby player when he came out in an interview in the Daily Mail last December.

Speaking at the Awards, Thomas was characteristically understated about his prize. ‘It’s an honour to be part of such an amazing organisation,’ he said. ‘For me, being a hero is just about being honest. I’d like to thank my mum and dad for allowing me to be honest. They’re my heroes.’

Other award recipients included Coronation Street and EastEnders actors, and House of Commons Speaker John Bercow – praised for allowing civil partnerships to take place in the Parliamentary Estate.  Patrick Strudwick picked up the Journalist of the Year award for an exposé in the Independent earlier this year, concerning so-called ‘conversion therapy’ that claims to be able to ‘cure’ homosexuality.

On a similar theme, Stonewall named Conservative MP Chris Grayling ‘Villain of the Year’ for comments he made about B&Bs being able to turn away gay guests. The comments, made when he was Shadow Home Secretary, sparked cross-party protests; it has been suggested that they also led to Grayling’s demotion from Cabinet-level politics when the Conservative-led Coalition entered government.

Commenting on the awards, Stonewall’s Chief Executive, Ben Summerskill, said: ‘This has been a landmark year. All three major soaps have featured compelling depictions of lesbian and gay characters. All three main parties made gay equality a central, vote-winning election issue. And rugby now has its first openly gay professional player. We’re proud to have seen all these successes of modern Britain reflected at the Stonewall Awards ceremony.’