Rugby star says most of the hate towards his relationship comes from gay men

Rugby star says most of the hate towards his relationship comes from gay men
Image: Photo: Instagram / Sam Stanley.

BRITISH rugby player Sam Stanley has hit out at criticism of his intergenerational engagement.

Stanley revealed on Instagram earlier this year that he and his partner Laurence Hicks—34 years his senior—are engaged, Pink News has reported.

The engagement has attracted criticism from some, most of which Stanley says comes from within the gay community.

“I think if you’d caught the reaction to our engagement online most of the hate was from other gay people,” he said.

“That surprises me quite a lot with what gay people alone have to go through in terms of being judged. There’s a hell of a lot of judgement just within the gay community.”

Hicks said, “Younger gay guys who are obviously not into intergenerational relationships don’t get it at all, particularly the difference in body size.

“Funnily enough, most of our straight friends are very comfortable with it.

“We both know the intergenerational thing is not everyone’s cup of tea, but please don’t judge either of us without really knowing us or appreciating the love we have for each other and the joy we bring to each other’s lives.”

Stanley and Hicks have been together seven years, having first met on the website silverdaddies.com.

“Laurence and I love each other and to us that’s all that matters,” said Stanley.

“We’re proud to represent the many relationships like ours.”

You May Also Like

5 responses to “Rugby star says most of the hate towards his relationship comes from gay men”

  1. Quite a few ‘friends’ commented when I met my partner, who was 12 years my senior.
    I was 22 at the time, and his friends said ‘It won’t last”, or “he’s in it for your money”.
    My friends said “why an old bloke”, or “he’s trying to get back his youth, it won’t last”.

    We didn’t, and still don’t, feel any age difference, and we proved them all wrong by celebrating our 38th anniversary last November.

    I only wish all the best for Sam and Lawrence.

    The weird thing is we are all still being discriminated by many hetrosexuals, church groups, businesses, etc. Why within our own community, and from ‘friends’?

  2. So true Robert McCormick ….. LOL….not surprised at all, long live love in it`s True form.
    Best of luck to Sam and Laurence.

  3. It just goes to show that, unfortunately, our Community, is the most Ageist of all.
    Why should these two men be criticised for their love?
    So long as they are Happy that is all that matters.
    The nasty, vicious claim by some that Sam Stanley is in it for the money, is, patently absurd.. Professional Rugby and Soccer players get salaries most of us can only dream about.
    This partnership should be being celebrated not criticised but then any older man, no matter how good his physical appearance has only to walk into one of our Ageist Pubs, bars, venues to experience the discrimination, the , yes, hatred, of all those snotty-nosed orphans who think they are sooooooooo beautiful. They forget that in just a few years they too will be “greeted’ with contempt by those who have replaced them simply because they are now considered – yes, even at 35, as “Too Old”.
    Good luck to Sam and Laurence. I envy them.

  4. I am not surprised at all by this post, I have had numerous conversations usually rather unpleasant ones with guys under 25 on the topic. The general consensuses from those is why would any twink or guy under 40 go with an older guy unless he was getting a lot of money for it……..

  5. No surprise at all to be honest. Spend a week with a slightly overweight guy as your pic on any old app and see how much randomabuse you get from strangers. Almost as though they’re trying to shame you away from your identity.

    We can be a very shallow community and there’s no worse feeling than rejection from your peers on the basis of something so shallow.