James not out, no joke, says CA
WORLD Cup winner James Faulkner was counselled by officials from Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association after a social media post mistaken as a declaration he was gay went viral.
Faulkner, man of the match in Australia’s 2015 World Cup triumph at the MCG, caused headlines after posting a picture for his 300,000 Instagram followers in which he called his business partner, Robert Jubb, his “boyfriend”.
The 29-year-old from Tasmania also used the hashtag “Togetherfor5years” which prompted reports in countries including India and England that Faulkner had become the first Australian male cricketer to come out as gay.
Officials from CA and Cricket Tasmania were forced to contact media outlets to clarify Faulkner was not in a same-sex relationship with Jubb.
Nearly 14 hours after his initial post, which was met with overwhelming support, including from Australian one-day star Glenn Maxwell, Faulkner also clarified he was not gay.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding about my post from last night, I am not gay, however it has been fantastic to see the support from and for the LBGT community,” Faulkner wrote. “Let’s never forget love is love.”
Faulkner was defended by CA amid accusations he was making light of the coming out process by some people, including Jason Ball, a former suburban footballer now a Greens candidate in the federal election who came out as gay while still playing.
“For thousands of young people, coming out is one of the hardest things they’ll ever do, particularly in the macho world of sport. This ‘joke’ makes a mockery of that struggle,” Ball said.
But CA was adamant Faulkner, who didn’t breach any social media guidelines, was not making a joke. “Cricket Australia does not consider the social commentary this morning from James Faulkner to be a joke, nor does James,” a CA spokesperson said.
“His comment was made as a genuine reflection of his relationship with his business partner, best friend and house mate of five years.
“James and CA are supportive of the LGBQTI community and recognises coming out can be an incredibly emotional time ... CA apologises for any unintended offence.”