It's the time of year when even august publications like The Advocate turn from their regular focus on gay rights, politics, and the arts to fill up the summer news vacuum with an annual Sex Issue: last year's edition featured the sizzling photography of photographer Duane Cramer, and this time around it's all about former rugby star-turned-actor Ian Roberts, who made a huge splash Down Under as the first professional rugby player to come out. Of course, he talks about his struggles dealing with his sexuality in the world of professional sports ... but this is the sex issue, after all, which means some seriously tasty photos of Roberts sporting some decidedly non-regulation equipment. Kudos to Roberts for being a role model we can all be proud of, and to the Advocate for reminding us that standing up for what you believe in can be the sexiest thing of all. (And also that we need to work on our abs more.)

· "Meet Ian Roberts" (advocate.com)
· "Ian Roberts: Aussie Rules" (kennethinthe212.blogspot.com)
· See also: The World Of Ian (tribute site @ timbomb.net)

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