Latest news with #KevinPenrose
Irish Daily Mirror
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kevin Penrose has received a huge number of messages from other LGBTQ+ sports
Kevin Penrose, the GAA player and online influencer, has been inundated with messages of support from fellow LGBTQ+ individuals in rural Ireland since he bravely came out as gay. He's been candid about his journey, discussing how he distanced himself from sports while grappling with his sexual identity. Highlighting the significance of proper education and challenging inappropriate language, Kevin expressed his newfound joy in playing football again. Kevin told RSVP Live: "It has been three years since I came out. When I first came out I got a lot of messages locally, people saying congratulations and well done. This year has been like coming out again, but this time to the nation. "I have gotten an amount of messages from lads in rural communities who have been through the same journey, or are going through it. It puts it all into perspective about how common my story is and how people don't talk about it. "It is nice when people message and ask for advice, it is no longer my story, it is their story as well. "Hopefully more people will feel more comfortable to come forward and share their own stories. I feel like coming out is the last taboo subject within the GAA." Kevin wanted to share his experience to help other people in similar situations, but comments sections of social media have asked why he feels the need to "come out" and why he doesn't focus on GAA. He explained: "People ask why I have to come out and talk about my sexuality and not just play the sport. They don't see the other side of it and the experiences I had. "I had to drop out because I didn't feel comfortable in that environment and I couldn't play to my full potential on the pitch. "You see the same comments over and over online, but have these people even read the article or listened to the podcast. They see a headline and they just jump on it. "They haven't taken the time to understand the story. They think nobody will see their comment. "The only place I see comments like that is on Facebook, it is not the same on Instagram or TikTok. If that person saw you in the street they wouldn't come up and say it to your face." Does he face much negativity online? "I have been on social media for years, so I don't look for it or maybe I am immune to it. "You could end up down a dark rabbit hole. Most of the time it is a blank profile. If you engage with them it is unlikely they will change their minds." Once Kevin came out, his friends and teammates reached out to him. He said: "My closest friends said, 'Sorry you felt like that and we couldn't help, sorry you were suffering in silence.' I distanced myself from them and fell off the radar and, for them, they felt sad that I couldn't open up to them and come to them with my problems. "I grew up with them and played with them week in, week out, so to go from that to no contact was hard. "Everyone has been encouraging and they have reassured me that there is nothing to worry about." Kevin has been able to call people out for using offensive language and he understands that it all comes down to education. The Tyrone man said: "People who used terminology in the changing rooms or who engaged in conversations that might be seen as banter have apologised a few times. It comes down to a lack of education and experience. "I am the first gay player in the club so they are wondering how to navigate that. They don't know what is right and what is wrong in terms of making me feel comfortable. "I told them it is okay to ask questions and to open up conversations. When I first went back playing there were times where I had to call out some of the lads for their language, but they didn't realise they were wrong. "I think that comes from years of not being called out. It is completely now, the comments and wrong language are non existent on the pitch and off the pitch. "They are a lot more mindful and respectful, which is good. Hopefully that will continue with the younger generations coming up." Kevin feels so much happier now he is back playing for his club Aghyaran again. He said: "Back then, I was there physically, but I wasn't there mentally. I wasn't playing to my full potential. It got to the stage at age 17 and 18 where I was trying to make an impression with the senior team, but I was working for years and I wasn't getting the recognition or starting team. "I wasn't getting game time. My first thought was to tell myself that I wasn't a good footballer. I know myself that I was a good footballer. "I remember being nervous on my first session when I came back. My worries were gone though, I was just there to play football and I was thinking about what anyone was saying about me. "I didn't feel like I needed to act in any way or talk about certain things just to fit it. I have worked very hard to get my starting position on the senior team and I haven't looked back since." Kevin is gearing up for a busy Pride weekend in Dublin. He said: "I am just back from a few days in Connemara. I had football at the end of the week and then I travelled to Dublin for Pride this weekend. "I am hoping to make the parade if I am down in time and then I am going to the Mother Block Party." Kevin was speaking at the launch of SuperValu's new limited edition Pride themed Bag for Life, which is on sale this month in outlets nationwide. All of the profits will be donated to Belong To, the national LGBTQ+ youth organisation. He said: "SuperValu have worked with the GAA on campaigns for a number of years now. This one with Belong To fits perfectly with my story of coming out as gay. "Belong To is a fantastic service and it's something I wish I knew about and had access to when I was growing up. I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to be part of the campaign so I can amplify and share my story. "Hopefully someone else can take courage from it and navigate their own journey."
BreakingNews.ie
22-06-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Kevin Penrose praises Ronan McNamee for helping him return to football after coming out
When Tyrone footballer Kevin Penrose came out as gay, one of the challenges and worries he faced was how he would be accepted in the GAA community. After travelling to Asia after the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022, Penrose came out to his parents over a video call. Advertisement Spending so long struggling with his sexuality, the Tyrone man was now able to live his life more freely, but did wonder how, and if he could return to the GAA. While those around him were unaware, the culture in dressing rooms and on the pitch was not a pleasant experience. "It's the time when you're finding yourself anyway, as a teenager, you're not really knowing what's going on. "You're sort of, 'Okay. I need to stand out here to fit in, to be liked.' You just hear the words being thrown around the changing room or on the pitch, and it sort of makes you go back into yourself. Advertisement "Like, for me, I could be in the corner of the changing room thinking, 'Okay, I can't act this way, or talk about this, or I have to get involved in this banter, per se, to fit in.'" One person who was crucial to his return was All-Ireland winner Ronan McNamee, who reached out to him to return to his club Aghyaran. A close friend as well as a teammate, Penrose says McNamee's influence was "massive" to him returning. "It's massive, you know. We've grown up together. We played under age together, went to the same schools, you know. We always were quite close in that way, you know. Advertisement "You know, Ronan is very straight to the point, just tell you how it is, which I think is what you need in that moment. "But to it's your senior county player as well, to come and have those talks with you, it's encouraging. It sort of again, goes back to setting an example. "If your ally and advocate is Ronan McNamee, you're off to a good start. It just shows he's willing to take up that role, I guess, you know, and have the difficult conversation that someone else mightn't have the confidence to do. "Having him just sort of nudge me slightly after a few conversations, you know, just reassure me like, 'No one's going to judge you, like you're very welcome here. Advertisement "It makes coming back to football that lot easier. And, of course, he is right in the end. I just walked into the first training session back, and it was just normal. "You know, it's just like, 'Well done. Congrats on coming out. How are you going back into the scene? Now, let's get into the nitty gritty stuff.' You know? You leave that at the gate, then, once you do go back, and everyone's just there to play football." Coming from a family of hugely successful footballers, Penrose now plays with a weight lifted off his shoulders. The Aghyaran man admitted his playing struggles while he had not come out to anyone, and the toll it took on the pitch. Advertisement "I am not thinking about anything anymore. Back when I was still in the closet, I couldn't figure out why I couldn't make the senior team, for example. "I was doing the training the same as everyone else, but I just wasn't getting the same opportunity. I just thought to myself, I am just not a good footballer, even though I knew I was a good footballer. "Coming from a full-on GAA family, I grew up with from five years old. I knew I had the talent, I just couldn't really hit my potential; it was just a mental block. "Now it has completely changed. I have pulled myself into that team, I have got my starting position, and making a real impact on the team. It is crazy to see the difference that one thing was holding me back."
Irish Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gay GAA star admits nerves at football return after 'coming out' on podcast
Gay football star Kevin Penrose has opened up about his nerves returning to the sport after launching his podcast. The Tyrone player admitted he felt like he had to 'come out' all over again when he did his GAA Social podcast earlier this year. Kevin had told his family, friends and team-mates in 2022. He said of going back to playing: 'I remember the first match back… I thought, OK, the majority of these lads have most likely listened to this podcast in the past couple of weeks and I know they know. 'So I felt nervous walking across the pitch and in the changing rooms, you get that bit of paranoia. 'But everything was grand. You meet different lads at the changing room doors, they'd shake your hand and say well done. 'It brings you back, you just don't know what to expect.' Since launching his own podcast, the GAA Social, the travel influencer, 31, said it has helped many people feel comfortable with their sexuality. He added: 'Even to this day... like the podcast was how many months ago. 'I came out three years ago, but the podcast felt like I was coming out again but to a much larger audience and really honing in on that GAA demographic, which is teenagers to 60 plus year olds. 'People even come up to me in person and shake my hand…it's hard to know what to say to them in those moments because every journey is different but I'm glad they're finding some sort of comfort in it that they can see there is so much goodness and joy on the other side. 'I was guilty of it myself. I keep thinking that everything would go wrong in my life and you never stop to think that everything could go right so I'm glad that people have taken something from it.' But he said he found it hard reading the negative comments about his sexuality. He added: 'It was more like on Facebook. The comments were completely different to what I'd see on Instagram. 'Again, Facebook is a different demographic and they're older. 'I think people were just saying again, 'Why is this guy making a song and dance about coming out?' Pride month for example, like asking 'why do we need Pride month?' You're sort of answering your own question with your ignorance because this is exactly why we need it. 'I've been very lucky I haven't experienced anything negative. 'The likes of people on Facebook probably didn't even listen to the podcast, they just see the headline.' Kevin was speaking at the launch of SuperValu's new limited-edition Pride themed Bag for Life. Available this month in SuperValu stores across the country, the bold and bright rainbow tote is set to be the must-have bag of the summer and is available to purchase for €3. Profits will go to Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, the national LGBTQ+ youth organisation. Kevin said: 'I am delighted to team up with SuperValu for this important campaign supporting the incredible work of Belong To. As someone who has been through the journey of coming out within the GAA community, I'm incredibly passionate about allyship, and inclusion both on and off the pitch. 'By buying one of these bags and 'Carrying it with Pride', you are sending a powerful message that no matter who you are, you belong. 'I hope a campaign like this not only gives people the courage to be themselves but also reminds everyone to stand up and be proud allies for the LGBTQ+ community.'
RTÉ News
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Kevin Penrose now thriving in the GAA world and beyond after coming out as gay
Kevin Penrose (29) is a content creator, a footballer and an openly gay man. He plays for his childhood club Aghyaran in Tyrone, despite now living in Meath. When asked why he doesn't make his life easier and transfer somewhere nearby, Penrose stated: "It keeps me in the loop with everyone back home. I always get the question would I not just transfer to a club down near here, and I'm just like 'no I can't do it'". Speaking at the launch of SuperValu's new limited edition Pride themed Bag for Life, he continued: "I feel like I owe it to myself, my younger self to see it through now for the next coupe of years till retirement. The lads on the team, these are the people I grew up with." When he dropped out of sport after moving abroad for university he lost connection with his club but now that he's back, he's landed on his feet. "You walk into that changing room or on to that pitch with your head held high and you know that you're walking into a group of lads who fully support you for yourself," he added. "I need to stand out here, to fit in to be liked" Penrose grew up playing football, but struggled during his teenage years with his identity and sexuality. Without a role model to look up to he became confused and anxious blaming football for these negative thoughts. "Growing up for myself, I didn't have a role model who I saw myself in within that GAA culture and community and I think that's the reason I didn't know how to navigate that time in my life." The environment in the changing rooms and on the pitch led Penrose to think that he couldn't be himself "I need to stand out here, to fit in to be liked," he remarked. "You hear the words being thrown around the changing room or on the pitch and it sort of makes you go back into yourself and for me it could be, in the corridor or the changing room thinking okay I can't act this way or talk about this or I have to get involved in this 'banter' per say to fit in." Penrose's conflicting thoughts lead to a mental block on the pitch and resulted in him feeling he couldn't reach his potential. When the opportunity to travel arose he took it so he could escape the feelings he was having on the pitch. "I associated Gaelic football and that environment with how I was feeling at that time, of being scared, not wanting to come out, just a build-up of thoughts in my mind of everything that could go wrong." He soon realised however, the anxious confusing thoughts he was having was nothing to do with Gaelic football and everything to do with who he was deep down. "I began realising that Gaelic football wasn't the problem; it was myself and coming to terms with the fact I was gay." Three years ago when Penrose came out to his family and friends he was nervous about what his teammates would think. Those fears were soon set aside when Tyrone county player Ronan McNamee (below) reached out to him. "To have a senior county player come and have those talks with you, it's encouraging, it's setting an example if your ally and advocate is Ronan McNamee. You're off to a great start. He's willing to take up that role and have that difficult conversation that someone mightn't have the confidence to do - having him nudge me slightly after a few conversations, just reassuring me that no one is going to judge me, that I'm very welcome here makes coming back to football that bit easier." Since his return, Penrose has noticed a culture shift amongst his team-mates, coaches and support staff. "Everyone's just there to play football," is now the positive summation. The environment is one where he can embrace who he truly is and instead of worry about what others think of him, he's able to put all all his focus into the sport, where he's found the love again and he's making a real impact. Another place he's making a real impact is as a role model and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community within the GAA. Penrose has been open about his own experience growing up in the GAA as a closeted gay teenager. "Talking about it so openly and freely can really inspire and encourage other people even if it's somebody struggling with their sexuality, or if it's a football manager really wanting to get involved but not knowing how, you know it's going to help a lot of people I think." When asked about how the GAA can become a better ally to the community, he stated: "It comes back to ourselves within the changing rooms, the managers, the backroom, the volunteers. I think it starts with that and then that's the ripple effect to show if one club can do it why can't every other club do it for everyone else." He encourages people to be curious, educate themselves and spread awareness. "Use the resources online, BelongTo has so much information on there on allyship, on how to have a normal conversation, it doesn't have to be about being gay, just how's it going and that lays the ground work to have those deeper meaningful conversations down the line. "Being open and transparent, if someone says something unintentional in the corridor without knowing its harmful, I need to be comfortable enough to call them out."
