Cusack stands up to homophobic bullies

Young people should think twice about bullying or taunting gay schoolmates, says Donal Óg Cusack.

The Cork hurling goalkeeper, who disclosed he was gay in his 2009 autobiography, is supporting a week-long campaign in schools and youth organisations to stand up to homophobic bullying.

“There’s a certain amount of stigma still associated with the subject — you still hear some kids using terms like “that’s gay” or “faggot” in a derogatory fashion. I think people should think carefully about what they are saying and think again as to why they’re using those terms,” said Donal Óg.

“You can understand why there’s a certain stigma [about coming out], they’re worried about losing friends or what their parents might think. For kids in school being taunted, if you have someone you can talk to or an organisation, just ask for help.”

The 35 year old is captain of the Cork senior hurlers this year and said little has changed in his own life since coming out, but he gets great satisfaction knowing he has helped others.

“There isn’t a week goes by that someone in the same situation doesn’t contact me who has things on their mind, so it’s great to hear from some people saying I’ve made their life better,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of stick as a nation in the last couple of years over our finances. But as a people we’re extremely tolerant and compassionate, and Ireland is in much better shape in this area than in other countries.”

The star hurler was at the launch of the Stand Up! awareness week on homophobic bullying which starts on Monday, organised by BeLonGTo Youth Services. It is also supported by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals.

England Rugby World Cup 2003 winner Ben Cohen is also lending his support, being a prominent anti-bullying campaigner and chair of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation which fights bullying and homophobia in sport. He is one of the first straight sportsmen to champion a cause for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and uses his popularity among gay supporters to speak out and help young people who are being bullied.

A 2009 study for the HSE found that half of LGBT people have seriously though about ending their lives, one-in-five have attempted suicide and more than a quarter have self-harmed.

Donal Óg said young LGBT people could consider adopting the attitude he took when he was being taunted by spectators in the terraces behind him.

“In big sports stadiums, people are always getting abuse. If they are abusing me it’s more a reflection of them than on me. I would be a lot more upset if it was about bad goal-keeping,” he said.

*More information from Stand Up! Awareness Week at www.belongto.org