'Love is love': James Faulkner speaks out after 'boyfriend' drama
Australian cricketer James Faulkner has taken to social media to explain an Instagram post on Monday night which made headlines around the world.
On Monday night, fans interpreted a post marking his 29th birthday as the cricket star coming out and revealing a five-year relationship with a man.
“Birthday dinner with the boyfriend (best mate!!!) @robjubbsta and my mother @roslyn_carol_faulkner #togetherfor5years,” he wrote.
A post shared by James Faulkner (@jfaulkner44) on Apr 29, 2019 at 3:10am PDT
The story went global as a number of Indian outlets and LGBT sports websites ran headlines overnight.
Even cricketers were caught by the caption, with Glenn Maxwell, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Jofra Archer commenting words of support.
On Tuesday morning, Faulkner moved to clarify the situation claiming it was “fantastic” to see the support for the LGBT community, but the post was misunderstood.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding about my post from last night, I am not gay, however it has been fantastic to see the support from and for the LBGT community,” he wrote on Instagram on Tuesday morning.
“Let’s never forget love is love, however @robjubbsta is just a great friend. Last night marked five years of being house mates! Good on everyone for being so supportive.”
A post shared by James Faulkner (@jfaulkner44) on Apr 29, 2019 at 5:07pm PDT
‘Misinterpreted’: Cricket Australia
On Tuesday morning, Cricket Australia also said the post was “misinterpreted” after the media storm.
“This is a joke that has been taken out of context,” a spokesman said.
CA also apologised for any unintended offence the post could have caused.
“Cricket Australia does not consider the social commentary this morning from James Faulkner to be a joke, nor does James,” the statement read.
“James and CA are supportive of the LGBQTI community and recognises coming out can be an incredibly emotional time. The post was not in any way meant to make light of this and, though the support from the community was overwhelming and positive. Cricket Australia apologises for any unintended offence.”
The man is a friend and business partner and appears in a number of older posts on Faulkner’s Instagram.
Faulkner had already attempted to clarify the situation by editing ‘(best mate!!!)’ into his caption of the birthday dinner.
Many fans thought Faulkner had become the first Australian male cricketer to come out publicly, following in the footsteps of some of his female counterparts.
Earlier this month, Melbourne Stars youngster Nicola Hancock married New Zealand international Hayley Jensen.
