#not only blue

Ian Roberts played professional rugby in Australia between 1986 and 1998. In recognition of his efforts he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia’s international standing in rugby league. Roberts served on the National Rugby League’s judiciary between 2000s and in 2004. And in 2005, he was named one of the 25 greatest ever New South Wales players. Roberts revealed in 2014 that he has suffered from brain damage after being knocked out up to a dozen times in his playing career.

In 1995 Roberts became the first high-profile Australian sports person and first rugby footballer in the world to come out to the public as gay. He afterwards he said,

“(It) was the worst kept secret in the rugby league. Even when I was at Souths, everyone knew I was gay.”

Adding:

“I have been ‘out’ privately since I was 19 or 20. I was always comfortable growing up being gay. (But) I wish I’d come out earlier… I always felt like I was protecting my family, but you can’t protect people from being who you are.”

But it wasn’t until 2021 that he revealed the negative impact of coming out. He overheard fellow teammates they were I uncomfortable rooming with him because he’s a faggot. He also received mail saying, “AIDS will finish you in hell. SODOMIST.”

The same year while exiting the field during halftime, a spectator assaulted him - punching Roberts in the face and calling him a “faggot”.

But Roberts used his new found fame to campaign against homophobia. He discussed his sexuality in magazines and on television and appeared in a poster campaign against homophobia conducted by the Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project.

In 2010, Roberts publicly criticised Australian swimming star Stephanie Rice for calling the South African rugby union team“faggots” - calling her “a complete idiot”.

Like other athletes who come out as gay, Roberts posed nude, included appearing on the of “(not only) Blue” Magazine in 2001.

In 1998 Roberts decided to pursue acting professional and move to the US in 2003 to increase his opportunities. His credits include appeared in:

• Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) as a bartender
• Dancing with the Stars (2005) - Roberts competed in the Australian edition of the show placing second
• Superman Returns (2006) as one of Luthor’s henchmen
• Saltwater (2013) as the love interest in a gay romance
• Fantasy Island (2020) as a character called Mr. Torture

Perhaps one of Roberts’ proudest moments occurred in 2017. He made a personal plea to the Australia’s National Rugby League to support legislation allowing same-sex marriage. He’s effort convinced them - and the NRL publicly announce their stance. He was motivated after learning about the death of Tyrone Unsworth, a 13 year old boy who died after being bullied at school.

“That’s what triggered me into doing this. His passing will not be in vain.”

Roberts has been with his partner Daniel for 15 years.