A GAA footballer from Tyrone has opened up on his journey coming out as gay and subsequent return to the sport.
Kevin Penrose was raised in a Castlederg home steeped in GAA tradition and played for his local club Aghyaran during his childhood and teenage years.
His brother Martin also helped the county to victories in the 2005 and 2008 All-Ireland senior finals.
Speaking to BBC Sounds, Kevin revealed the challenges he faced in coming to terms with his sexuality, the moment he told his family, and his return to playing.
He explained how he withdrew from his hometown club after realising he was gay while attending university in Liverpool, only playing sporadically with St Davog’s near Castlederg.
“The whole thing of [the] changing room culture and lad culture was a thing. There are words thrown out there,” he said.
He added that a trip to Thailand in 2022 prompted him to open up about his sexuality to his mum and dad after a “five-day straight” stint staying inside his hotel room.
At that point he was 28 and his life had consisted of “playing two different people” which was finally able to come “to an end” after his parents’ loving reaction via a video call.
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Kevin told BBC NI’s The GAA Social Podcast: “I was in a dark room in a hotel. The motivation was gone to travel and I was just like, ‘I can’t really do this anymore’.
“I was probably in the room for about five days straight. I wasn’t going out, wasn’t seeing anyone and I knew myself what it was.
“I needed to ring home and I needed to tell people. When I made the phone call on the Thursday or Friday with mum, it was just an instant weight lifted.”
He added: “Dad is a man of few words. It was just ‘right well done’ sort of thing. He is a typical GAA father and he was asking, ‘when are you coming home?’ Where are you going today?’”
After telling members of his extended family, Kevin used his large social media presence, gained from posting travel videos, to come out to his followers.
Upon returning home, the news had reached Castlederg. Tyrone All-Ireland winner Ronan McNamee reached out to Kevin, asking him to return to the sport.
“Ronan asked me to come back playing and was speaking on behalf of the lads and saying no one has a problem with this,” he said.
Kevin is now an integral part of the Aghyaran senior side and knows he’s “a good footballer”, as well as feeling “included with the lads”.
He said: “I do feel 100% included with the team. Not once have a I felt uncomfortable walking into that changing room or when we’re on the pitch.
“I’m really included with the lads, although I know it might not be the case for everyone else in a similar situation within the GAA.”