OK Boomer, OK Zoomer: You can't be, what you can't see - why we need more out gay male athletes - Voice of Asia

Andrew Purchas recalled the moment Ian Roberts came out, making Roberts the first openly gay professional rugby league player in the world. Andrew, who prefers to be called "Fuzz," expressed his admiration for Roberts. "I have so much respect for him," he said, acknowledging Roberts' courage and impact.

"The fact that he did it in 1995, and there still hasn't been another male professional rugby league player who's come out since." Fast forward to today, Fuzz, along with 24-year-old gay hockey player Davis Atkin, rewatched Roberts' interview about his decision to come out, reflecting on its significance and lasting impact.

"I've never actually watched this before," Davis said. "Generally, he was one of the first people to come out in Australian sport, right?" Fuzz responded, "Absolutely, and at that level. Still to this day, there's no other rugby league player (still playing) who's come out, no rugby union player (still playing) who's come out, and no AFL player who's come out either," highlighting the ongoing challenges and lack of representation.

Davis made history in 2023, becoming the first openly gay male international hockey player, debuting for the Kookaburras, the Australian national team. But he was struck by Roberts' composure in the interview. "Ian is so calm," he said. "If that was me, in an interview like that, especially having just come out, I would not be that calm, showcasing Roberts' strength and poise.

For Fuzz, Roberts remains an inspiration. Fuzz is the co-founder of The Sydney Convicts, Australia's first gay and inclusive rugby union club, and Pride in Sport, an inclusion advocacy organization. "I wish I was as brave as Ian Roberts," he said. "He was so brave to say, 'So what? I'm the gay rugby league player,'" emphasizing the importance of role models and visibility.

Fuzz recalled his first time going to Oxford Street during university, then going to a nightclub or a gay bar. "When people would come up and talk to me, I would immediately say, 'I'm not gay, I'm just here doing research for a novel I'm writing.' That's how…awful I was," he said, expressing his past struggles. "So, I have so much respect for him," the inclusion advocate added. "What a legend." Davis agreed: "Icon."

Born more than three decades apart in different eras, Fuzz and Davis shared their experiences in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) new series, "OK Boomer, OK Zoomer." The show pairs two LGBTQ+ individuals—one older and one younger—to discuss how queer life has changed over time. In this original format from ABCQueer, participants react to capturing snippets of queer life, past and present, creating a platform for intergenerational dialogue.

"I was bawling my eyes out watching this," Davis said. "I mean, it's very, very emotional," Fuzz said. Daley's coming out, for a young Davis, was at a crucial moment when he was starting to understand his own sexuality. "I don't even remember what year it was, but I was probably in high school, and it went viral on YouTube," Davis said. "I think I watched it three or four times because I just couldn't shake this feeling of tension."

He said he was confused by how the video made him feel, and it took him a while to realize why it resonated with him so strongly. "He was probably the first person to, in some way, help me figure out who I was, and I think, because he was an athlete, it was super relatable too," highlighting the power of representation and relatable role models.

"At the moment, I'm trying to—on my social media, and just generally—I'm trying to find a way to mesh the athlete world with the beauty world," Davis said. "Do you think the athlete world is ugly?" Fuzz asked. "Erm…we could always use a bit of powder," Davis said with a laugh, showcasing his personality and desire to bridge different worlds.

Davis has made the huge decision to come out while still playing, and he is determined not to compromise his authentic self, and seeks inspiration from the brave gay athletes who paved the way for him. "I'm trying to be as authentically and honestly me as I can with my life at the moment," he said. "Because I'm the only one who's out internationally…it was a little bit scary to begin with, but it's grown on me, like Roberts and Daley, it's something that I'm completely comfortable with now," emphasizing his commitment to authenticity and visibility.

"So, you're not worried about being known as 'the gay hockey player'?" Fuzz asked. "No, I think it's awesome," Davis said. "Great PR!" "Well, good," Fuzz said. "Embrace it," encouraging Davis to own his identity and use his platform for positive change.