DUBLIN GAA star Ger Brennan’s landmark speech in Croke Park that a person’s sexuality is irrelevant has been largely positivly received on social media.
The St. Vincent’s captain was praised for his acceptance speech after the Dublin club defeated Castlebar Mitchels in the All-Ireland Club Championship on St Patrick’s Day, where he thanked the "girlfriends and boyfriends of the players" for their support during the season.
In an interview on The John Murray Show on Monday morning, Brennan admitted that he was overwhelmed by the reaction to his speech, which he said was unprepared.
Exactly Ger well said.It doesn't matter what sexuality a person is in every situation.In #Gaa you're part of a team.http://t.co/pKznoO8s0F
— Louise Heneghan (@LaobhaoiseNihE) April 14, 2014
“There was no forethought put into it,” he explained.
“Going into a final I think it is bad luck to prepare speeches, so when I was speaking I was speaking openly and genuinely.
“I’m someone who is open to people’s sexualities and it doesn’t bother me at all. I was surprised to hear how much media attention it did get.”
Brennan added that sexuality should not be divisive issue in sport.
A rock of sense. 'I don’t see what a person’s sexuality has to do with anything’ – Ger Brennan (via @TheScoreGAA) http://t.co/cB4xdmpB0o
— Colm O'Gorman (@Colmogorman) April 14, 2014
Whilst he believes the “furore” over homosexuality is more to do with the traditional way of Irish thinking, he does think that attitudes in Ireland are “changing slowly.”
He is confident that the Association is helping to change attitudes, and said: “It’s part of the ethos of the GAA the Gaelic Players Association to be inclusive of all people.
“As a member of GAA and the GPA, it’s all about diversity, it’s all about inclusiveness,” he added.
“If it’s a man or woman involved in the GAA, I don’t see how their sexuality has anything to do with it.
Fair play to Ger Brennan of @StVincentsGAA1 for his ground breaking speech at croke park #breakingboundaries http://t.co/lMgs3NXwGH
— SKINS IRELAND (@SKINS_IRELAND) April 15, 2014
“It’s about a person being happy and true to themselves.
“Who cares (about someone’s sexuality) if somebody is trying their best as a sportsperson to represent their clubs, their county or school?”
The defender also praised the role of Donal Og and Conor Cusack in attempting to remove the stigma of homosexuality, after both brothers individually revealed in recent years that they are gay .
This is interesting. And all the better for not being premeditated http://t.co/GUI0tS5vKV
— Padraig Reidy (@mePadraigReidy) April 14, 2014
