Super League referee James Child speaks publicly about being gay

Super League referee James Child says he hopes that by speaking openly about being gay it will help educate others on the subject of sexuality - and reduce abuse.
Super League referee James Child. (ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX)Super League referee James Child. (ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX)
Super League referee James Child. (ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX)

In an interview with the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast, the Dewsbury-born official has discussed his sexuality publicly for the first time.

Child, 37, conceded that plenty of people close to him and around him have long-known he is gay.

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However, ahead of the new Betfred Super League season that starts next month, he wanted to talk about it more openly for myriad reasons.

"The way I've lived my life on social media, I'm pretty open about the fact I have a male partner," he told the podcast.

"I don't necessarily broadcast it but just live my life normally, and that's the way I've chosen to deal with it up until now.

“And in many ways, my sexuality and my job are completely separate and it's irrelevant.

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"When I run out there and make a decision, it doesn't matter whether I'm gay or straight. What matters is whether the decision is right or wrong."

Child, who refereed the 2017 Super League Grand Final, is used to getting abuse from the crowd at games. Unfortunately, it is common for referees at all levels.

He also revealed he has had death threats and some of the abuse has been of a homophobic nature.

"I do receive my fair share (of abuse), including a couple of death threats over the past few years that have been referred to the police," he added.

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"I'm not saying that's all to do with my sexuality, but I certainly think one, if not two of those, were homophobic.

"By me speaking about this publicly, there can't then be a situation where somebody is homophobic, but denies knowing I'm gay," he says.

"I'm not denying people their opportunity to go to a game and shout at me as a referee. By all means, do it! Carry on doing it! I'm used to it!

"But when you start bringing religion or disability or sexual orientation into it, we don't need that level of personalisation.

"If this will help educate people and get us all to be a little more respectful to each other, then that's great."