From the Herald Sun, 1 October
AFL STAR IN SECRET GAY SHOCKER!
By Peter Van Niuewen
These exclusive photos, given to the Herald Sun by a sharp-eyed member of the public, reveal that one of the most well-known stars of AFL is allegedly in a secret homosexual relationship.
It will undoubtedly come as a shock to fans of the Devils that midfielder Declan Tyler, a past Brownlow Medallist, appears to be gay. These photos, however, will dispel any doubts.
They were taken in the grounds of St. Vincent’s Hospital, where Tyler’s father was admitted after suffering a heart attack on Sunday. The photographer, who doesn’t wish to be named, and is also a minor, was visiting a patient and observed Tyler and his unknown companion. He managed to obtain these photos using the camera on his mobile phone.
All attempts to reach Tyler for comment were futile as the Tyler family are in seclusion at the family home in Glenroy.
At present little is known about the mystery man in the photographs, but it has to be noted that this has been Tyler’s worst season ever since he turned pro.
The AFL board, Devils’ coach Scott Frasier, and team CEO Ed Wallace also have declined to respond at the time of printing.
A reticent star player… more on Page 4
From column “The Scene”, Reach Out, 3rd October
NOT SO SHOCKING TO SOME
An editorial by Jasper Brunswick
It seems that the straight world is currently getting their knickers in a knot over the fact that Declan Tyler, one of the biggest stars in AFL, has been outed. This has led to an uproar over the belief that one of the best players in recent history can’t possibly be a fag, after all, fags are better known for carrying a handbag than a ball, right?
At the moment it probably seems unimaginable to those who watch Tyler prowl upon the field like a modern gladiator that a sports star of his calibre could be queer, and there may be many who try to write off the recently published photos as fakes posed with look-alikes or excellent Photoshop jobs.
But what does this mean for Tyler’s future in his chosen field? Is the AFL world ready for an openly gay player? Is Tyler himself ready for it? I would suggest he probably isn’t, or else he would have come out of his own volition.
There have been whispers about Tyler for some time. And not only amongst the gay community. Tyler always has been loath to discuss his personal life and his relationship with frequent Brownlow attendee Jessica Wells. Privacy always automatically invites suspicion with the general public as well.
But who is the mystery man in the controversial photos?
He is no stranger to Reach Out. In fact, he has been profiled by us and was about to be interviewed again.
Simon Murray, 27, is the director of the Triple F film festival, which acts as a showcase for truly underground, independent filmmaking and also presents a large number of LGBTQ-related pieces in its programming each year. We have reprinted a previous interview we have had with him in this edition, highlighting the section where he talks about what it means to him personally to choose queer-friendly films.
You can rest assured that we will probably be hearing a lot about him in the mainstream press in the weeks to come as a new interest will be shown in his life, both with Declan Tyler and outside their relationship.
Only one thing is certain—life as they know it will never be the same again.
Interview with Simon Murray, page 6.
From the Herald Sun, 4th October
TYLER’S SECRET GAY LOVER REVEALED!
By Peter Van Niuewen
A local gay weekly has revealed the identity of the mystery man at the centre of the recent Declan Tyler photographs.
Simon Murray, 27, is the director of the Triple F film festival, which specialises in exhibiting independent cinema, usually with a large number of gay-friendly entrants. Attempts to contact Murray have been fruitless, and his assistant Nyssa Prati refuses to comment.
Gay columnist Jasper Brunswick, who has worked closely with Murray in the past, was the source who revealed the identity of Tyler’s secret boyfriend. “We sat on this story for quite some time,” Brunswick said in a phone interview, “as we are not in the habit of outing people. However, seeing as the Declan Tyler story became headline news in other media, it has now become newsworthy, and we couldn’t ignore it.”
All parties involved in this matter are remaining silent. Tyler remains in seclusion at his family’s home in Glenroy while his father is under treatment at St. Vincent’s Hospital; Murray has his answering service fielding his calls. Miss Jessica Wells isn’t talking and her female “roommate” is maintaining silence as well. The AFL and the Tasmanian Devils Football Club have yet to release statements.
Calls to other players for comment have not been returned, leading to speculation that the club has issued a gag order.
“This is going to be huge for both the gay and the football communities,” Brunswick says. “People are going to have to change their perceptions on all counts. We have never had a sports star this popular come out, and never at the height of their career. He could serve as a role model for so many people.”
Meanwhile, this newly minted role model seems to be in hiding.
Your say… page 12