Gareth Thomas pays surprise visit to San Francisco

Reprinted from the 26 November issue of the Bay Area Reporter in San Francisco

by Roger Brigham
jocktalkroger@yahoo.com

Reprinted from the 26 November issue of the Bay Area Reporter in San Francisco
by Roger Brigham
jocktalkroger@yahoo.com

Chill was in the air, fog enveloped the city, fickle rains came and went, and constant breezes bit exposed faces and hands as rugby players and fans gathered Saturday on Treasure Island to see the San Francisco Fog tackle the Mendocino Steam Donkeys and San Jose Seahawks. But hearts were warmed with a surprise visit by Gareth Thomas, the Welsh lion who is currently the only openly gay man playing for any major league professional team sport in the world.

It was a welcome as warm as the weather was cold. There is an informal familiarity in rugby, a fundamental fellowship recognizable whether players are close teammates, longtime rivals, or newly met strangers. The locals teased Thomas about the lovely weather as they lent him a cap and jacket and fetched him a cup of coffee.
"Where I live in Wales is cold," he told them, "but we don't have this wind." They swapped stories and asked him about his plans and his travels. Those plans include a feature film about his life that is being discussed in Hollywood now.

The visit was one of celebration and symbolism. Thomas was here to watch rugby and express his support of the Fog's mission of inclusion in the sport. He was able to meet new Fog head coach Kathy Flores, who is also coach of the women's national team, and Alice Hoglan, mother of the Fog player Mark Bingham who was one of the passengers on Flight 93 who died fighting terrorists on the plane on 9/11. Past rugby player that I am, I got the chance to introduce Thomas to two local LGBT sports activists: Doug Litwin, marketing officer for the Gay Games; and Derek Liecty, honorary lifetime member of the Federation of Gay Games.