Thomas (or “Tom” or “Bozzy”) Bozworth is 18, from Wales, and the captain of his rugby team. He’s also gay, and recently came out to his family, friends, and his teammates. This is a brave young man. For those of you who are out and already went through this, do you remember how much you agonized and sweated over it? Now multiply that by playing primarily hetero (as far as you know) team sports. As he explains in his video, “it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life.” We remember.
I am sorry but it is the real me. I would really like to thank my close friends and especially my rugby team as I honestly thought I would be to ashamed to ever carry on playing rugby. But the boys have showed and proved to me that my thought of them were wrong and I’m so grateful they are the best bunch of players and true friends that i could ask for.
I’m am honoured to have the friends I have from school and rugby and truly can’t believe how supportive they are. This is the hardest thing I have faced but it has to be faced as rumour do spread. I just felt like this was the easiest was for people to know the truth and not have to explain to everyone separately. If anyone is going through the same thing never ever be afraid to contact me I know how hard it is and I will never ever share what you tell me.
Coming out in a video is a MASSIVE coming out, too. I came out in my college newspaper, and (at the time) that was seen as a bold move. Even though circulation wasn’t shit! Videos get shared! Everyone in Wales knows! Hopefullt it made the weight he was bearing that much lighter.
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– J. Harvey
To watch Bozzy’s coming out video, Follow the JUMP:
What an amazingly brave young man. I was 31 before I had the courage to come out to my family. I am proud of him. Thanks Bozzy.
What an amazingly brave young man. I was 31 before I had the courage to come out to my family. I am proud of him. Thanks Bozzy.
What an amazingly brave young man. I was 31 before I had the courage to come out to my family. I am proud of him. Thanks Bozzy.
What an amazingly brave young man. I was 31 before I had the courage to come out to my family. I am proud of him. Thanks Bozzy.
What an amazingly brave young man. I was 31 before I had the courage to come out to my family. I am proud of him. Thanks Bozzy.
What an amazingly brave young man. I was 31 before I had the courage to come out to my family. I am proud of him. Thanks Bozzy.
its a shame people still have to come OUT……STRAIGHTS DONT HAVE TO……
Amazing , i just imagine how hard it must have been to come out to your family n friends .. ive been just like u years back n never regrets since .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3cVp3_7hNc&feature=plcp
Really proud of this guy I also live in the welsh vallys. And i am also fully out. It’s hard enough to tell your family. It’s even harder if you live In the vallys where people now your business and they are so judgemental. And he plays rugby that’s such a mans game its unbelievable. Really proud of him chin up dude. 🙂
Why does all coming out stories or statements have to begin with I am sorry? What do we have to feel sorry for being gay??
I think we don’t have the need to “come out” as if we were objects, we are people. We don’t have the obligation to tell the others what we do in our intimacy. If people wants to believe that we are straight, gay, bi, lesbian, whatever… it’s a problem of them. I live my life for me and when somebody asks me for a girlfriend or a wife, I just tell: No, that’s not my goal in life, I expect more than only to get married and die slowly. So if they want to take that as a “come out” is good and if they don’t, good too. My family knows I’m not interested in girls and that’s enough for them, never do questions and I’m grateful for their respect to me.
I think we don’t have the need to “come out” as if we were objects, we are people. We don’t have the obligation to tell the others what we do in our intimacy. If people wants to believe that we are straight, gay, bi, lesbian, whatever… it’s a problem of them. I live my life for me and when somebody asks me for a girlfriend or a wife, I just tell: No, that’s not my goal in life, I expect more than only to get married and die slowly. So if they want to take that as a “come out” is good and if they don’t, good too. My family knows I’m not interested in girls and that’s enough for them, never do questions and I’m grateful for their respect to me.
LOTS OF RESPECT TO BOZZY!
You actually made me cry Dude!
About halfway through your video, I just wanted to give you a BIG HUG, and let you know everything will be ok.
We are fortunate that we do live in a more tolerant society, but even so, to come out is VERY daunting, when you think you may have to walk away from all of your family, all of your friends, and quite literally start a new life where you can be accepted.
I’m chuffed to bits for you that your friends and family ARE accepting of your sexual preference, but like you say, you just want to be treated normally, you’re still the same old Bozzy, and who you like to have sex with isn’t really anyone elses business!
Much respect, and I hope you have a great life!
(I can totally relate to your experience, I experienced a similar thing when I was coming out.)
XXX
p.s. I’m not on Facebook or Twitter so can’t follow you on there.
LOTS OF RESPECT TO BOZZY!
You actually made me cry Dude!
About halfway through your video, I just wanted to give you a BIG HUG, and let you know everything will be ok.
We are fortunate that we do live in a more tolerant society, but even so, to come out is VERY daunting, when you think you may have to walk away from all of your family, all of your friends, and quite literally start a new life where you can be accepted.
I’m chuffed to bits for you that your friends and family ARE accepting of your sexual preference, but like you say, you just want to be treated normally, you’re still the same old Bozzy, and who you like to have sex with isn’t really anyone elses business!
Much respect, and I hope you have a great life!
(I can totally relate to your experience, I experienced a similar thing when I was coming out.)
XXX
p.s. I’m not on Facebook or Twitter so can’t follow you on there.
Bravooooo to you!! :}
Although that’s a very obvious thought I’ve never thought of it that way before…and now I’m kind of annoyed with the whole thought of having to come out. Yargh.
Thanks Bozzy for posting your video. I “came out” last year and I cried for 3 days before I wrote a long letter and then emailed it to everyone on my contacts list. It was like a giant anvil was lifted off my shoulders and I was finally at peace with myself after so many years of denial and self-hatred and hating God for what he did to me. After coming out I finally understood that it was meant to be. Now, if everyone “came out” in one week in this world, the other 85 to 90% of the population would realize we are just normal people and we would all get on with life.
This might not be that popular. First let me say I am definitely not taking away this guy’s courage. I never played team sports and so I do not know the culture but I am sure it is difficult. It is the best to watch a person stand up and declare themselves. It really is awesome to see.Now to the unpopular part:
There is a disconnect for me though when celebrating a guy like this. He is handsome, popular, athletic, supported by a loving mom, and white. Hey – that’s called hitting the lottery. He is celebrated not just because he is brave. He is celebrated because finally – there is a safe gay! A non deviant in any other way except gay. Phew. That was a close one. We might have had a transgender, an ugly person, or my god a switch in fundamental ideologies or political parties to have to deal with. But just gay? Phew link the world to the video and let’s cherish gays everywhere.
I propose this: would Pretty Woman have been as popular a movie if it starred Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito? No. Well maybe it would have but not for the same reason it originally was.
I love this guy is coming out. I love he is brave. But if his other qualities were not so desirable would anyone give a crap? Or would he just be as unsupported in coming out as so many of the rest of the gay community? He is the Richard Gere and Julia Roberts of the coming out stories. If you were dealt a hand to make prostitution look awesome – you don’t really have that much of a problem in my book.
P.S. I just reread this and I sound like a dick. The road to bitter queen seems so slow until one day you wake up and can’t tell the difference between your reflection and Elton John.
This might not be that popular. First let me say I am definitely not taking away this guy’s courage. I never played team sports and so I do not know the culture but I am sure it is difficult. It is the best to watch a person stand up and declare themselves. It really is awesome to see.Now to the unpopular part:
There is a disconnect for me though when celebrating a guy like this. He is handsome, popular, athletic, supported by a loving mom, and white. Hey – that’s called hitting the lottery. He is celebrated not just because he is brave. He is celebrated because finally – there is a safe gay! A non deviant in any other way except gay. Phew. That was a close one. We might have had a transgender, an ugly person, or my god a switch in fundamental ideologies or political parties to have to deal with. But just gay? Phew link the world to the video and let’s cherish gays everywhere.
I propose this: would Pretty Woman have been as popular a movie if it starred Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito? No. Well maybe it would have but not for the same reason it originally was.
I love this guy is coming out. I love he is brave. But if his other qualities were not so desirable would anyone give a crap? Or would he just be as unsupported in coming out as so many of the rest of the gay community? He is the Richard Gere and Julia Roberts of the coming out stories. If you were dealt a hand to make prostitution look awesome – you don’t really have that much of a problem in my book.
P.S. I just reread this and I sound like a dick. The road to bitter queen seems so slow until one day you wake up and can’t tell the difference between your reflection and Elton John.
ginger, you are a true inspiration. I wish you all the happiness. Yes, things DO get better. Thanks for your courage and willingness to be a willywanker and a good man.
I’ve never come out. I just live my life and let people (if, for some reason, they need to) come to their own conclusion.
Thanks for having the courage to come out and share your experience.
Thanks for having the courage to come out and share your experience.
Bozzy.. I hope this inspires people to continue to be themselves if it may be black,white,yellow,or green. I came out when i was 19 and it was very hard living in a small town (redneck) central . Keep that feeling of being loved by your mother, it will never change! And if you every have a problem in life. remember .. there are plenty of people out there who will support you. your not alone! 🙂 THank you !
I would date the hell out of you and marry you lol
I would date the hell out of you and marry you lol