Thomas came out as gay in 2009 whilst playing for Cardiff Rugby, having achieved 100 caps for Wales between 1995 and 2007.
Folau, who started on the wing for the World XV, was sacked from his Rugby Australia central contract in 2019 for an Instagram post that stated ‘Hell awaits’ gay people.
He has regained prominence since he returned to Test rugby with Tonga, and though there were gestures made at Twickenham in favour of LGBT rights, Thomas declined to engage with the match Folau was selected in.
“I refused even to turn the television on,” Thomas said. “If you’re going to have a pride flag waving and have some inclusive teams there, but you’re still playing him, there’s a contradiction there: on one hand you want to celebrate diversity and inclusion in sport and on the other hand you’re picking him.
“I can guarantee one thing: Israel Folau is never going to change his opinion, because then he’d have to change his beliefs. I do respect his beliefs, and I wouldn’t discriminate against his beliefs, but he needs then to respect the beliefs and lifestyles of other people.
“I don’t voice my beliefs around Israel Folau’s beliefs, whereas Israel Folau voices his beliefs about me. If I voiced my beliefs then I wouldn’t want to take to a rugby field and be booed, I’d either change them or conclude my beliefs were more important than a game of rugby.”
Since retiring Thomas has gone on to be a major advocate of gay rights, supporting Childline and NSPCC campaigns to give support to young people coming to terms with their sexuality and later fronting a BBC documentary about homophobia in football.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin June 11, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin June 11, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.