Gay footballer Robbie Rogers marries Arrow producer Greg Berlanti
HOLLYWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 12: Greg Berlanti and pro soccer Player Robbie Rogers attend “Hugh Jackman… One Night Only” Benefiting MPTF at Dolby Theatre on October 12, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for MPTF)
Gay footballer Robbie Rogers has tied the knot with Arrow producer Greg Berlanti.
Rogers, a former player for Leeds United and LA Galaxy, revealed on Instagram that he had gotten married.
His husband, Berlanti, is a successful TV producer, overseeing superhero TV shows including Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.
The footballer shared a picture of the happy couple with son Caleb.
(Photo by Lily Lawrence/Getty Images for Hampton + Baker)
He wrote: “Still recovering from the most emotional beautiful day, exceeding any dream I ever had.
“To marry the man I love in front of all of my loved one’s was not something I grew up thinking would ever happen.
“Thank you to the men and women who made this day possible.”
He added: “Also thank you @hanaasano for capturing this picture, convincing Caleb to smile at the camera this long was impressive ;)”
The couple went public with their relationship in 2013.
Berlanti announced the birth of their son, Caleb, last year.
He said: “It is with much pride and love that I introduce to the world my son, Caleb Gene Berlanti. Born February 18, 2016.
“There is nothing I’ve wanted more, or waited for longer, than to be a father.
“Achieving this dream would not have been possible without the love and support of my wonderful family and surrogate, incredible boyfriend, amazing friends and co-workers that encouraged me and helped me on this remarkable journey.
“Check back in approximately 25-30 years for the tell-all about how I screwed it all up, until then apologies for the over posting of baby photos.
“My heart is full forever.”
Robbie Rogers (Getty)
Rogers, a former Leeds United player came out as gay in 2013, after retiring from English football. He signed a contract to play for US team LA Galaxy.
Rogers recently hit out at footballing body FIFA, and criticised plans to hold the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He said: “In a perfect world it wouldn’t be in Russia – we’d boycott and they’d move it somewhere else.
“But that’s never going to happen. FIFA is corrupt… it’s run by racist, sexist homophobic dudes, who are in charge and put their buddies in charge. It’s pretty bad.
“If I were on the team I’d go – I’d have glitter, I’d make sure people knew I was gay so I could be present and people would know.”
He joked: “I’d have, like, a tiara.”
Rogers explained previously: “I think what I’ve learned from my experience of coming out, and being present in the locker room, is that by being there it is more of a statement than boycotting or something like that.
“So if I were to go to Russia or Qatar then I would do it, and I would be extremely flamboyant about it.”
He said of attitudes in US Major League Soccer: “It’s very much changing in the MLS – I have friends in every team and they tell me how things have changed, the sensitivity to using certain words and stuff like that.
“That being said, the next two World Cups are in places that are extremely homophobic and there aren’t really any out footballers around Europe or South America so it hasn’t really changed that much.”
Last year Rogers was subjected to homophobic abuse by another player during an LA Galaxy match.
He said: “In the heat of the last fifteen minutes of the game a player from the opposing team called me a ‘queer’ repeatedly.
“To be honest my initial reaction was one of shock. This is my fourth season back in the MLS and I’ve yet to hear another player use that or any other gay slur during a game.”
He added: “I went to bed upset last night. Angry at this player and his ignorance. Angry at myself for not doing more in the moment. Sad that we still live in a time where this kind of intolerance still exists in my sport and elsewhere.
“And if I’m being honest, I was even a bit ashamed that a single word could make me feel, even just for a moment, all the awful feelings I felt for so many years: small, less than, wrong, and unworthy of love and respect by my family or god forbid by my teammates.”
He continued: “I’m thankful for the many players on my team and even the opposing one who apologised to me for one man’s actions.
“Today, I woke up grateful to work in an organisation filled with so many players and coaches who have worked hard to practice tolerance of everyone and to help change a culture.
“I am proud more than ever that I had the courage to come out as a queer man. I feel so fortunate to have gotten to share my story with others and to have gotten to play this sport I love so much as an openly gay person.
“I am, more than ever, thankful to have teammates and a family that love and support me for the son, brother, partner, father and queer player that I am.
“I’m encouraging, as I did when I came out four years ago, all athletes to find the courage within themselves to come out.
“Listen, only you know when and how it’s best for you to live your truth and share your story, but each one of you that chooses to make this courageous step is not just vastly improving your own life but literally saving others.”
