Armagh All-Ireland winner Mark Shields says coming out as gay was a 'daunting task'

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

Mark Shields hopes speaking about being a gay inter-county footballer will be of benefit to young Gaelic games players struggling to express their sexuality.
At the GPA's annual Pride Brunch, the 2024 All-Ireland winner with Armagh spoke openly in front of an audience for the first time about being gay. He is the first active male inter-county player to speak about being gay since Cork hurler Donal Óg Cusack.
"I feel it's just important to tell my own story of 12 - 15 years playing inter-county, my experience of coming through the ranks, being a senior inter-county player in the male GAA environment," Shields said in a video published on the GPA's social media accounts.
"It was a daunting task coming out, whenever it was, about 10 - 12 years. The culture has changed within society, within the group in Armagh. I feel that I can express myself more. The group are more accepting.
"The language used around the group is changing. There's people standing up for people, for myself in the group, whereas maybe that didn't happen that much before. I think the culture is changing within the GAA itself."
Shields said that some of the language used in changing rooms in the past would have been "hurtful". He added that having the type of support he feels is now available would have made his situation much easier a decade ago.
"It's been excellent to have allyships and people advocating for it in social media, and around GAA set-ups, and the GPA," he said.
"I hope speaking out and telling my story will help that younger player, be it male or female, non-binary to express themselves in the GAA environment."
Shields advised anyone struggling with their sexuality to find someone they can trust.
"For me, it was process," he said
"I had to find someone I trusted in, that was my sister; I spoke to my sister a lot, and would have a close relationship with her, my partner as well. It's finding that someone you trust and you want to express yourself to them.
"I found that very helpful whenever I was trying to tell my story and trying to come out. They were the ones that stood by me throughout and supported me whenever I felt down or low in the dumps or in a dark place.
"It doesn't have to be in front of a group; it can be a one-to-one conversation with someone. That's how I found it easier, to have that walk on the beach, in a forest or just chatting to someone over a coffee. That was the easiest way for myself."