ABC radio star Hamish Macdonald has challenged a caller who criticised media coverage of former NRL player Kane Evans coming out as gay.
Evans, 34, said a lifelong battle with his sexuality had driven him to addiction, homelessness and suicidal thoughts in an interview on Monday night.
The former Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels, New Zealand Warriors and Hull FC forward said he spent almost 20 years fighting a private battle.
‘I know that I’m gay,’ Evans said. ‘But I went down every other avenue to sort of build up these walls. To be someone, to escape who I am.’
But his announcement wasn’t seen as newsworthy by Chris from Parramatta, who called in to ABC’s Mornings radio show to share his thoughts.
‘I’m actually going to come out myself on your program this morning,’ Chris said.
‘I’m left-handed. You know, today, that’s not a new story at all, but 100 years ago, that would have been a big story.
‘And I think, while ever we treat sexuality like it’s a big story and like it’s a core part of someone’s identity, we’re not going to be able to move on.’
ABC radio star Hamish Macdonald (pictured) has hit back at a caller who criticised media coverage of former NRL player Kane Evans coming out as gay
Evans said he had endured a decades-long battle with his sexuality that had almost cost him everything in an emotional TV interview on Monday night (pictured)
Macdonald hit back, saying: ‘I see. And so you think the answer is to not discuss these issues?’
‘My left handedness, it’s a part of who I am. It’s a branch of my identity,’ Chris replied.
‘Our culture today treats sexuality as though it is the most important thing about a person’s identity.’
Macdonald rejected the analogy and highlighted how difficult it can be for some men, particularly footballers, to openly discuss their sexuality.
‘Chris, have you ever felt shame associated with your left handedness?’ he asked.
‘No, and I’m very glad that that is the case because it’s never been a big deal,’ Chris replied.
Macdonald asked Chris how society and culture could move to a place where people didn’t feel shame about their sexuality.
Chris admitted he didn’t have an answer to that and argued sexuality shouldn’t be made to be a ‘big deal’ in public discussion.
Evans became the first Australian rugby league player since Ian Roberts to come out as gay
Ian Roberts offered personal support to Evans following his announcement. He was the first professional rugby league player in the world to publicly come out as gay
‘There are more important things about Kane… I think the fact that he’s a footballer is more important than the fact that he’s gay and yet that’s what the news is talking about,’ he told the show.
Macdonald, who came out as gay in 2019, told Chris that Evans had shifted the shame to the people who disapprove of his sexuality.
‘I suppose the reality is, if you’re living with that shame, how do you remove that shame? How do you get away from that?’ he said.
‘And I suppose the point he (Evans) seems to be making is, well, that’s now for other people. If they’ve got an issue with it being discussed, that discomfort sits with them instead of with him.’
Listeners praised Macdonald for how he handled the caller’s remarks.
‘Bravo, Hamish. Always approaching prickly conversations with sensitivity and elegance,’ one person said.
‘Well done, Hamish, you handled this beautifully,’ another said.
Israel Folau (pictured with wife Maria) backed Evans after the former NRL star came out as gay
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‘I hope your left handedness didn’t drive you from the top of the world to drugs, homelessness and wanting to top yourself,’ a third said.
‘All the best lefty and congrats on your bravery.’
Evans has received support from the rugby league community, with Israel Folau stunning footy fans by sending the player a message of support.
His first Instagram post after the announcement – in which he said ‘I love and accept who I am’ – was greeted with two love-heart emojis by Folau, who was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for publishing controversial anti-LGBTQ+ posts.
