Super League referee James Child has spoken publicly for the first time about his sexuality, and the homophobic abuse he has received which has included death threats.
In an interview with the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast, Child has stressed that this is not his ‘coming out’ story, with his family, friends and refereeing colleagues all aware that he's gay.
But he has spoken about what life has been life for him as a leading sport official and the abuse that has involved. Child told the BBC: “The way I've lived my life on social media, I'm pretty open about the fact I have a male partner. “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.