Australian cricketer James Faulkner seems to have created some confusion regarding his relationship status with a social media post that suggested that he was coming out of the closet. A day after he put up the post, however, Faulkner clarified that he was not gay and there was a “misunderstanding”.
On his 29th birthday on April 29, Faulkner put up a post on Instagram with his mother and a man named Rob Judd.
“Birthday dinner with the boyfriend @robjubbsta and my mother @roslyn_carol_faulkner #togetherfor5years,” read the caption for Faulkner's Instagram post.
However, in another post a day later, Faulkner said that there was a misunderstanding. He explained that the man in the photo was “just a great friend”, and that they were, in fact, celebrating five years as house mates.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding about my post from last night, I am not gay, however it has been fantastic to see the support from and for the LBGT community. Let’s never forget love is love, however @robjubbsta is just a great friend. Last night marked five years of being house mates! Good on everyone for being so supportive,” Faulkner wrote on another Instagram post.
Cricket Australia also apologised for the “unintended offence”. “James and CA are supportive of the LGBQTI community and recognises coming out can be an incredibly emotional time. The post was not in any way meant to make light of this and, though the support from the community was overwhelming and positive,” CA said in a statement.
“Cricket Australia does not consider the social commentary this morning from James Faulkner to be a joke, nor does James.”
England’s Steven Davies was the first international cricketer to come out openly as gay in an interview in 2011.
