Rugby hero Sam Stanley has ended his very special year by getting festive with his boyfriend Laurence! The pair marked their first Christmas living together with a supercute picture of them posing by their tree in festive T-shirts.
It’s been a great year for the newly out rugby star! Back in September he opened up about being gay and how he had been dating Laurence for five years but had only come out to family and friends just a year ago.
The impact of his announcement took him by surprise. While he says his teammates were predictably cheeky and jovial about his news, the messages he had from young gay guys really touched his heart.
‘I never realised the impact it would have,’ Sam told the current issue of Gay Times. ‘But some of the messages I’ve received from young kids – 12-year-olds, 14-year-olds – I’m like, WOW. Someone’s been able to tell their parents and their mates because of me! I’m fortunate and privileged enough to be playing professional rugby and that it’s had an influence on other people.’
Gay Times Naked shoot
Which is why it is so important for young sportsmen like Sam to share their stories! Visibility is key for young gay guys who are worried about coming out! For those young men feeling alone, tossing the prospect of coming out around in their heads, inspirational figures like Sam and Keegan give them the assurance that young gay men don’t have to be a stereotype and can live a happy and successful life.
So Sam, on behalf of all those boys whose lives you have changed, GuysLikeU would like to thank you for being the hero we all wish we’d had when we came out!
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