LONDON – Emma Watson has tweeted her supported for Keegan Hirst – Britain's first rugby league player to come out as gay.
Watson delivered her message, which praised Hirst's courage, over the following tweets sent Tuesday.
Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation.— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015
.... Physical courage is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death or threat of death,— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015
while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal or discouragement. @KeeganHirst #gotboth— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) August 18, 2015
Keegan Hirst, who plays as a prop for the Batley Bulldogs, spoke to the Sunday Mirror recently about his sexuality.
"At first I couldn't even say 'I'm gay' in my head, let alone out loud," he said. "Now I feel like I'm letting out a long breath of fresh air."
Hirst, who is separated from his wife, went on to say the only time he felt free before coming out was when he played rugby.
"I suppose in sport it's still a bit of a taboo, but judging by the feedback I've had it's not as big a taboo any more," Hirst told the BBC in a separate interview.
"I don't want to go on some kind of crusade, but pave the way for other people to be able to come out, to feel comfortable enough in their own skin to be who they really are."
I'd just like to say a big thankyou to everybody who's taken the time to send all these best wishes.It's very humbling and much appreciated.— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) August 16, 2015