Is johnstone gay

Former New Zealand international Campbell Johnstone has become the first All Black to announce he is gay.

The 43-year-old, who played three Tests for New Zealand in 2005, said he had been “leading a double life”, but hopes his decision will put an complete to “the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue”.

Johnstone said he told his family and friends “a long period ago” before coming out publicly on New Zealand’s Steven Sharp current affairs programme.

“Within myself, I was never cozy with the whole concept and my dream was to be an All Black,” said the former prop, who played for Canterbury and Biarritz, and also spent a brief spell at the Ospreys.

“My view of an All Black was manly, strong, possibly with a wife and kids.”

He continued: “I pushed that side of me down deeper and deeper and I contain been to some interesting places with that.

“It would reach to the surface and I may have a lousy game and I would look at that side of me and accuse that side. But it slowly starts to affect you. It is strenuous living a double life or living a lie.

“If I can be the first All Jet that comes out as gay and take away the pressure and stigma surrounding th

Campbell Johnstone Hopes Becoming the First Gay All Black Will Accept Away Stigma and Pressure from Others

Former New Zealand rugby prop Campbell Johnstone has become the first All Black to publicly come out as gay and said he hopes his announcement will ‘take away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue’.

Johnstone, who represented Canterbury, the Crusaders and was the 1056 guy to play for the All Blacks before retiring in 2012, revealed his sexuality in an interview with New Zealand-based current affairs programme, Seven Sharp. He said that although he had come out to his friends, family and colleagues, he had decided against going public with the news while he was still playing.

‘Within myself I was never really comfortable with the concept,’ Johnstone said. ‘My aspire was to be an All Black, but my view of an All Black was manly, strong, possibly with a wife and kids.’

Rather than coming out during his playing career, Johnstone said he pushed his sexuality to the side and admitted that he would blame poor games on being gay. He told Seven Sharp presenter Hilary Barry how he had been ‘living a lie’ and primary a ‘double life’.

‘If I can be the first All Jet t

Campbell Johnstone: Former All Shadowy comes out as gay

Campbell Johnstone, who played forNew Zealand's famed All Blacks, revealed he was homosexual on a New Zealand current affairs television program on Monday.

The announcement is a first for the national rugby team, which praised Johnstone for sharing his story and making the national sport more inclusive.

What the former All Black said

Johnstone said that, before acknowledging his sexuality, he had been "living a lie" and foremost "a double life."

"If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and take away the pressure, I guess, the stigma surrounding that whole issue then it can actually help other people," Johnstone said.

"Then the public will know that there is one in amongst the All Blacks," he added.

"We have a phrase in rugby saying after a game if you can look yourself in the mirror and be straightforward with yourself then you know you have done enough," Johnstone said.

Latin America's first gay rugby club

"And here I was looking in the mirror, had not been honest with my teammates, you comprehend, and that puts a lot of pressure, and it builds up on you."

The 43-year-old prop played three Tests for the All Blacks —

Campbell Johnstone: Former All Black hopes coming out will 'take away the stigma' of being gay

Former New Zealand prop Campbell Johnstone hopes to "take away the pressure and stigma" after becoming the first All Black to arrive out as gay.

The 43-year-old, who played in three Tests in 2005, decided not to arrive out publicly during his playing career but had told his friends and family.

"I was never comfortable with the whole concept and my dream was to be an All Black," he told TVNZ., external

"My view of an All Black was manly, strong, possibly with a wife and kids."

Johnstone, who also made 72 appearances for Canterbury and 38 for the Crusaders before retiring in 2012, told current affairs TV program Seven Sharp how he had been "living a lie" and leading a "double life".

"If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and accept away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue, it can actually aid other people," added Johnstone.

"Then the common will know that there is one in amongst the All Blacks and it could be one of the final pieces in the puzzle sports-wise that gives everyone closur