Meet Aaron Neich, 19, openly gay and the first male cheerleader for the Penrith Panthers rugby team. He was selected at an audition this weekend. One Aussie tab has already dubbed him the “Pink Panther.” He is out, proud and doesn’t care what anyone thinks.
“I have had it all my life, I have grown up with getting names called, if people call me a gay poof, I am and I don’t care,” he said. “If you have got it, flaunt it. Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me, as the saying goes”
“I have had it all my life, I have grown up with getting names called, if people call me a gay poof, I am and I don’t care,” he said. “If you have got it, flaunt it. Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me, as the saying goes”
Neich said he will be “butched up” by wearing black cargo pants, a pink tank top but minus the pom-poms the women use.
Cheer squad co-manager Laura Harrison said Aaron would share the field with 22 female cheer leaders – but they won’t be sharing outfits.
“We were looking at expanding the squad and we thought why not utilize the strength of a guy,” Ms Harrison said. “We’re not going to put him in the cheer girl outfits, we’re going to butch him up. The girls this year are in pink and they’re going to be called the Pink Panthers. He’s going to be in black and he’s not going to have pompoms.”
Penrith is a suburb in western Sydney and Neich is jazzed about being their first male cheerleader.
“Penrith haven’t really seen any male cheerleaders, they are going to be like ‘Oh My God’, I am going to get out there and strut my stuff,” he said. “Just the fact I am going to be the only guy, not being selfish but I am going to be the one that stands out.”
My guess is that Neich will become a fan favorite and none of the female cheerleaders will have to worry about him hitting on them. As for those straight fans who will mock him, he had a ready answer: “While I’m up dancing with the girls, you’re sitting up there in the stands.”
Video of Neich discussing being a cheerleader.
Photo gallery of the Penrith cheerleaders, including Neich.Hat tip to Deadspin.
