Rugby Star Toby Rudolf Talks Sexual Fluidity, Says He's Kissed Gay Men

Professional rugby player Toby Rudolf is being open about sexual fluidity and his personal dating history, including who he has kissed.

During a recent interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, the 26-year-old Australian rugby star and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks teammate got frank about sexuality, saying: "Sexuality is very fluid. I've been out and kissed many gay men, kissed many straight women, and kissed many gay women."

He continued:

"I'm not a one-stop shop. Love is love, and I love to share it with everyone. That's probably why I love going to all the gay bars in Sydney as well. I love dancing with my shirt off and getting down Universal on Oxford Street until 2 a.m."

The National Rugby League player then specified that while he is "open to both, genders" he is, in fact, "only attracted to one of them."

Rudolf's comments come on the heels of controversy in the rugby world regarding LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility in the sport.

Last week, seven players from the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, another Australian rugby team, decided to boycott a championship match after the decision was made for the team to wear Pride-theme jerseys, replacing their usual playing uniforms.

"We accept their decision," Manly coach Des Hasler said in a press statement last Tuesday following the controversy. "These young men are strong in their beliefs and their convictions and we will give them the space and the support they require."

"I haven't got caught up in the Manly situation," Rudolf told the Sydney Morning Herald when asked to weigh in. "What I will say is I was raised by quite a few gay and lesbian community members. My uncle is gay and my godmother is gay, and there's so much love in that community."

A similar incident happened stateside earlier this year in June when several players from the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team refused to wear special-edition jerseys that featured a rainbow-colored version of the team's logo to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ community for "Pride Night."

Tampa Bay Rays officials issued a statement after that incident explaining that participation in the Pride celebration was not mandatory, making it clear that each player had the choice to wear the special jersey or not.

RELATED | This Man Falling For His 'Gym Bro' Is the Queer Love Story We Need RN