Articles About Ian

Recent Ian News

Mar 2002 - Ian rumored to have role in Attack of the Clones
...but no-one can see him. He has though starred in a number of independent film productions this year, including All Tomorrow's Parties as well as a number of student stage productions.

Feb 2002 - Lucky paparazzo snaps Ian on Mardi Gras morning
Story here.

Jan 2001 - Ian gains admission to NIDA
In interviews, Ian indicates he is pursuing acting training to discover more about himself. The movie Self  is on hold looking for funding. Ian is officially over League.

14 Oct 1999 - Aaron Jeffrey plays Ian role in Self
Aaron Jeffery (Water Rats, The Interview) has been cast to play Ian in the biographical movie Self, written and directed by Dean O'Flaherty. Ian will also feature as someone else (!?). The film goes into production next year.

4 May 1999 - Ian helps launch service for regional gay youth 
Check out news about Outlink from the Sydney Morning Herald

10 Mar 1999 - Ian's retirement greatly exaggerated!
Roberts has announced he intend to continue playing. In other news he is slated to star as himself in an autobiographical movie.

Article Archive

I've grouped the articles into a rough chronology of Ian's life as a gay public figure (distinct from his private life or his life as a football player). If you find any incorrect facts that you can correct, please let me know.

The Straight Period (birth to 1994)

In this early stuff Ian, like most young gay men, men, feigned a heterosexual public persona.

Total Energy with Ian Roberts
an old Ian poster-fan-mag circa 1991

The Coy Period (early 1995)

Ian's media coming out was a slow, almost painful affair. Hints, allusions, being seen at events, but no sudden "coming out". By the time he actually said the words, it was almost no surprise.

The Power and The Glory
Ian appeared nude in the gay magazine Blue accompanied by an interview where he talks about being an outsider. Tongues started wagging...

A Question of Heart
Wanda Jamrozik ponders Ian's "individuality" and heart in The Weekend Review.

Not So Blue
Puff piece about the Blue story from the Sydney Star Observer.

Coming Out (late 1995)

Ian's first clear, public statement that he was gay was apparently made to The Advocate (a US gay magazine) and then quoted in a Sydney gay paper (the Sydney Star Observer, perhaps?) without Roberts' permission. Regardless, he never denied it and the press jumped. News of his sexuality was followed by pics of his boyfriend Shane and quotes of their intention to adopt kids.

I Am What I Am
Brisbane Sunday Mail

A Man and His Match
New Weekly introduces the world to Ian's man Shane.

League Star and Gay Partner Tell of `True Love'
Brisbane Courier Mail article about the New Weekly article

Outed... but Roberts won't be the last
Sports Weekly ponders Ian's revelation

Public Life (1995-2000)

Having come out, Ian was called on by most gay charities and many youth charities to do fundraising work, appear in poster campaigns, sit on Mardi Gras floats. Acutely aware of his media position, Roberts kept up a busy charity schedule as well as his Rugby League career (shifting from the Manly Sea Eagles in Sydney to the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville). During this period his biography Finding Out was released.

What's A Bloke Supposed To Say? Outrage profile of Roberts
A Manly Lifestyle Peter Blazey comments on Ian's "coming out" in Outrage.
Roberts out to tackle Bias Ian supports anti-discrimination education in schools in an interview with the Brisbane Sunday Mail.
	Howdy Cowboy! Ian vents spleen on the ARL.
12 months with Ian Roberts Reflecting on the year since he came out in an Outrage interview.
	Local Hero 1997 Campaign interview with Ian just after the release of Ian's biography Finding Out. The same issue carried a review of Finding Out in Damien Millar's Hard Copy column.
	Stranger In Paradise Interview with Ian in Townsville in 1998, looking back on his coming out, his move to Townsville. Nice historical piece with some background on gay football players.
Tough Gay Bloke magazine Ralph does a "tongue-in-cheek" interview of Ian
Crazed Stalker Almost Broke Me Story from Woman's Day about an obsessed fan who began threatening Ian's life.

After "Retirement" (2000-)

By 2000 Ian had finally retired from playing Rugby League and drastically reduced his public visibility. Far from becoming an idle recluse, he was working on a film project (working title: Self) based on his biography and regathering energy. Finally, in 2001, he launched into yet another surprising venture, gaining admission to the acting course at NIDA, arguably Australia's leading school for actors.

Ian Roberts Movie
Very short news piece about the ill-fated movie project, Self, based on Finding Out. The film later went on hold due to lack of funding.

Roberts To Visit Top End
Short news piece about Ian visiting NT Pride in Darwin. Even as late as Oct 2000 he's still putting in the "hard yards" to support the community.

League Star Off To Acting School
Sunday Telegraph gets the exclusive story about Ian's enrolment at NIDA in December 2000.

Two of Us: Ian Roberts and Ray Roberts
The Good Weekend ran a regular weekly interview with a child and a parent. In this case, Ian and his dad, Ray.

Ian Roberts Kicks Off Movie Career
Short piece about Ian's role in a short independent film in March 2002

A New Wardrobe in Ian's Closet
Interview from a coffee shop magazine about Ian's thoughts on acting.