Six time Formula One winner Ralf Schumacher has come out as gay, becoming the most high-profile driver in the sport’s history to do so.
Schumacher, brother of the seven time world champion Michael Schumacher, made the announcement on social media.
Schumacher made the announcement on Instagram on Sunday night with a picture of himself and his French business manager, Étienne, watching a sunset with their arms around one another. “The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.”
Schumacher’s friend, the German actress Carmen Geiss, said on her post. “I want to tell you about a person who plays a very special role in my life. For many years I have known and love him infinitely,” she wrote.
“Today he confessed his homosexuality. This step was an act of liberation and self-acceptance for him. It was a courageous decision that has matured in him for a long time and one he is now full of pride and confidence.”
The 49-year-old Schumacher drove for Jordan, Williams and Toyota in 180 F1 races between 1997 and 2007, ¬taking six wins and 27 podium finishes. Schumacher’s decision is significant in that it demonstrates the extent to which motorsport is becoming more ¬accepting and diverse, something F1 has made a concerted effort to improve in recent years.
Lewish Hamilton speaks out
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has called on Formula One’s rulers to “do more” by making the sport a “comfortable place” in the wake of Ralf Schumacher’s decision to come out as gay.
“Clearly he (Schumacher) has not felt comfortable to say it in the past,” said Hamilton ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.”
“It’s definitely not a new thing, it just shows that we are in a time where finally you can take that step and don’t have to fear.”
“But within sport, there is still a long way to go. It is one thing saying that it’s inclusive, but it’s another thing actually making sure people feel comfortable in the environment.”
F1 statement
Responding to Hamilton’s remarks, an F1 spokesperson said: “It is a very positive thing for the sport and for Ralf that he has announced this news.
“It shows that F1 has taken big steps forward in inclusivity and diversity and he feels able to be open about his sexuality.
“We want to keep pushing to ensure everyone feels accepted and welcomed for who they are but we should all be proud of the progress we are making.
Hamilton, 39, has shown his support for the LGBTQ+ community by wearing a rainbow crash helmet in races in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality remains a criminal offence.
Sri Lanka lags behind the world
Sri Lanka’s Parliament is currently in the process of amending a British imposed Penal Code to finally decriminalise consensual same sex sexual relations. The colonial imposed law has been used to arrest LGBT people and subject them to forced anal and vaginal examinations. However, this practice and arrests of LGBT people have largely stopped following a Police Circular after a case was filed against the Police at the Court of Appeal.
Last year, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court held that it was essential for Parliament to pass the law in order to ensure that all Sri Lankans were assured their fundamental rights. However, despite a push by the Supreme Court, Sri Lanka’s Parliament has been slow, leaving the country behind as the rest of the world progresses.
Sri Lanka is now one of few countries in the world that continue to criminalise consensual same sex relationships. Almost all other countries that do so are found in the Middle East and Africa.
