Over the weekend, a fascinating new documentary called Steelers: The First Gay Rugby Club just had it’s premiere at the New Zealand International Film Festival, and after watching the trailer, I can’t wait to see this film in full.
The documentary focuses on three players from The club, who, BTW are in the midst of preparing to compete against 60 other gay rugby clubs at the 2018 Bingham Cup in Amsterdam.
Nic Evans, the Steelers’ gay female coach and former international player for Wales, who is struggling to overcome misogyny in the vastly male-dominated sport.
Birmingham rugby fanatic Simon Jones, who also shares his battle with depression. Jones had recently come out to a childhood friend that he had feelings for, and apparently, his crush didn’t take the news as well as he’d hoped.
Andrew McDowell, a beast on the field who also moonlights as a fierce drag queen. “I will be tough and brutal and kick your ass on the pitch,” says McDowell in the film’s trailer. “When I’m off the pitch I will be as flagrant and flamboyant as I want.”
I should also point out that the doc is written, directed and narrated by Australian journalist Eammon Ashton-Atkinson who’s also a member of the club. He came up with the idea for the film after a concussion he suffered weeks before the tournament left him on the sidelines.
“I’m a reporter so I tell stories for a living, but I’ve never told one this personal,” says Ashton-Atkinson. “It’s the kind of story that I would have loved to have seen in my darker days. My wish is for this film to give hope to others who may need it, not just those struggling with their sexuality, but anyone doubting themselves.”
I’m incredibly fascinated by this film because it highlights gay men in sports, and it shows that you can explore your masculine side on the field, but then embrace your feminine side during your off-time, like Andrew does as a drag queen.
I know it’s hard for some in the mainstream to believe, but gay men can do so much more than be sassy, make straight people look good and dress up in drag.
Check out the trailer below…