. He spent the last few years of his career,hoping to illuminate the subject of sexuality. He retired in 2011 after his club – Wrexham-based Crusaders – withdrew from Super League and injury ruled out leading Wales against England, New Zealand and Australia in the Four Nations. He was the only “out” gay male player from around 3,500 first team professionals at nearly 150 British rugby, football and cricket clubs. That figure still remains at one. Progress is glacial.
The former Bridgend, Cardiff and Toulouse centre first spoke publicly about having HIV five years ago. Now 50, and physically well, Thomas was taken to court by a former partner who accused him of infecting him with HIV. Thomas settled in early 2023 but maintained his innocence and said he settled without any admission of liability due to the costs involved of fully defending himself.
He is now trying to raise awareness of HIV and its risks among oblivious youngsters – especially rugby players and fans. “I didn’t know what a campaigner really does. Do I wear a green anorak and shout: ‘Power to the people’?” asks Thomas. “It’s an uneasy conversation. A lot of people believe this isn’t needed for them; they have no space for it in their memory bank.”
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were up above 400,000 in the UK last year. Young people are the most affected, more females than males live with it, and more heterosexuals were diagnosed than gay men. And yet sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust research says half of 18- to 24-year-olds don’t think they are at risk. The THT believes education could save 440,000 deaths this decade.
You’ve taken the TackleHIV bus to the Rugby World Cup in France, freshers’ weeks at universities and Harlequins. How did reactions vary? “Surprisingly it’s not that different. The overwhelming …
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