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Gay Rugby Player & Bobsledder Simon Dunn Dead at 35
The out athlete focused on LGBTQ+ advocacy work after retiring from professional sports.
Australian rugby player and bobsledder Simon Dunn has died at 35 years of age.
According to the New South Wales police, the athlete's body was found in his home on Saturday, January 21. Though the cause of Dunn's death hasn't been revealed, law enforcement noted that it is "not being treated as suspicious."
In rugby, Dunn played for teams like the Sydney Convicts Rugby Club and the Kings Cross Steelers. He subsequently started a career in bobsleighing and even represented Australia as part of the national team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. He had hoped to represent Australia at the 2022 Olympic games in Beijing, but a ruptured bicep injury prevented him from being able to do so.
Dunn's latest Instagram post was shared as recently as just four days ago. The athlete wrote:
"I think it's time for another photoshoot?!"
As an out gay athlete, Dunn fiercely advocated for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the world of sports and fought back against anti-gay rhetoric in the field. Even in 2023, there is still a lot of prejudice against queer and trans athletes competing in sports, and Dunn happened to be a great source of visibility for the overall community.
Dunn's sudden death is a huge loss for LGBTQ+ representation in sports. Our thoughts are with his family members, friends, and former teammates who are now mourning his passing.
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Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out, as well as a writer and content creator. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida. You can follow him on Instagram at @bernardosim.
Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out, as well as a writer and content creator. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida. You can follow him on Instagram at @bernardosim.
