By Billy Huang, Oct. 01, 2024
For many of us, sports represent community-building, teamwork, and respect. Whether it’s armature or professional sports, athletes are taught to have respect for their peers and opponents by treating them with consideration for their feelings, rights and beliefs.
When it comes to professional sports, star athletes have the power to influence their fans through their words, actions and the way they present themselves. The rules of ethics and sportsmanship are different because all their actions are broadcast and televised for the world to see, and they are responsible for how they utilize the platform they have.
I came across a TikTok video posted by Daily Mail Australia that went viral this summer about a rising rugby star who revealed highly offensive tattoos on his thighs that read “eat s— f—–” on one leg and “snort lines & f—” on the other.
The rugby player-in-question, 23-year-old junior league hooker Joshua Taylor-Myles, was selected to play for the south-western Sydney club, Aquinas Colts, in the New South-Wales Rugby League Lewis Cup June 8. Photographs of Taylor-Myles’ tattoos were first posted on the club’s official social media page, outraging an entire community of sports fans and LGBTQ+ members around the world. Not only did he announce to the world he’s got a drug and sex addiction, but he also promoted hatred toward the queer community.
After receiving an official warning from the Cronulla Junior Rugby League to either cover up the tattoos or be removed from all future NSWRL competitions, Taylor-Myles took the initiative to cover the infamous tattoos during a birthday trip to Bali the following Sunday and he posted the photographs on his Instagram page with the caption “Gone but not forgotten.”
A lot can be said about a person just by looking at what they choose to have permanently inked onto their body. Seeing the captions under his photogenic smile — as if two masterpieces can cover up who he truly is as a person — did nothing except leave a bittersweet taste in my mouth.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have almost become desensitized to the hatred we receive both on the internet and in real life. Taylor-Myles’ homophobic remarks didn’t startle me one bit because he is just one of many. What frustrates me more is the fact that it seems like he only received a slap on the wrist for the hateful words he chose to put on himself.
While as a journalist, I value freedom of speech, the press and First Amendment rights, Taylor-Myles’ revealing his tattoos on an international stage was demeaning and detrimental to the LGBTQ+ community — hence why I’m using my First Amendment rights to speak out against it.
Homophobic actions, symbols and messages can subsequently lead to problems that LGBTQ+ members have to face daily. With the platform Taylor-Myles was chosen to receive, his tattoos can easily reverse decades of work my community has sacrificed lives for to finally make it to where we are today.
“Athletes and public figures hold significant influence and have a responsibility to set a positive example,” according to a statement provided by Joshua Salazar, Identity Development and Education Coordinator of the Cal Poly Pomona Pride Center. “The Cronulla Sharks organization should recognize the impact of their player’s actions, issue a sincere apology and take steps to educate themselves on LGBTQIA+ issues. We believe in fostering a community where everyone feels safe, respected and valued. This incident underscores the need for continued education and advocacy to combat homophobia and support the LGBTQIA+ community.”
As we enter the month of October to celebrate and observe LGBT History Month, this is the perfect time to show our love and support for one another by promoting kindness, inclusivity and respect for everyone, no matter who they choose to be.
Even though Taylor-Myles made the decision to cover up his tattoos, I’m convinced he only did so to save his own career. It’s hard to believe someone who would decide to ink such disturbing words on their skin can change their innate ideology overnight.
If he is right about anything, it is this: ”Gone but not forgotten.”
For more information on how to RSVP for the many events that CPP Pride Center is hosting during LGBT History month to better educate students on what it means to be queer, you can visit their myBAR website.
Graphic by Ruthie Johns