Strangest twist yet in case of the footy player with a shocking homophobic tattoo – as a very surprising message emerges

A controversial gay Sydney stylist has branded a rugby player with hideous homophobic tattoos “a gay icon” and copied his tattoos as part of a long-running campaign to reclaim a derogatory term.

Joshua Taylor-Myles, a 23-year-old hooker for Cronulla Junior Rugby League club Aquinas Colts in Sydney’s south-west, caused a stir last month after it was revealed he had “eat sh** fa***t” and “snort lines and f***” tattooed on his thighs.

About two weeks after Daily Mail Australia revealed Taylor-Myles’ identity, he confirmed he had finally covered up the offending tattoo during a birthday trip to Bali.

Now, Sydney-based stylist and art director Kurt Johnson, who has worked with English singer Charli XCX, Swedish dance music star COBRAH and is followed by former Australian basketball star Liz Cambage, has revealed his faux tattoo.

Johnson shared the matching tattoos with comedy channel Brown Cardigan, tattoo channel Questionable Life Decisions and Taylor-Myles herself.

In a message to the footballer, Johnson wrote: ‘I am literally obsessed with you, baby’.

‘Don’t know [I don’t know] if you know but you’ve become some kind of gay icon for that yatt [sic] “Bro,” he added with a love-struck eyes emoji.

Taylor-Myles responded, “Go for it, son.”

Johnson said Taylor-Myles had become a ‘gay icon’ because of his tattoos

Johnson previously wrote an article for the Australian queer-focused magazine Boy! Incognito in which he described his past and his mission to reclaim the word “fa***t.”

The LGBTQIA+ community reclaimed the word “queer” by transforming it from a term of derision to one of empowerment and self-identification.

Johnson wants to do the same with the word “fa***t,” turning it into a symbol of power and pride.

Taylor-Myles recently posted a photo of himself laughing outside Finns Beach Club in Bali, with his shorts pulled up to reveal the new growling bear and Viking motif on his thighs, as well as the offensive tattoos.

“Gone but not forgotten,” he wrote alongside the photo.

The revelation came after he was given an ultimatum to cover up the offending tattoos or face being banned from all NSWRL matches.

A spokesperson for NSWRL told Daily Mail Australia he had been given an official warning and asked to cover the tattoos.

“The NSWRL and Cronulla JRL strive to provide a safe, fun and inclusive environment for everyone, including people of different sexual orientations and genders,” the spokesperson said.

Johnson shared his tattoos on Instagram – and it’s not the first time he’s had the offensive word tattooed on his body

Taylor-Myles travelled to Bali and had the offensive tattoos covered up on his birthday

The tattoos caused a stir after Taylor-Myles was selected to play in the NSWRL Luke Lewis Cup, with images of his tattoos going viral.

Cronulla-based Aquinas Colts only became aware of the offensive tattoos when photos circulated on social media.

At least two images of Taylor-Myles’ legs have been removed from the club’s social media pages following negative comments.

Members of the club criticised the way the situation was handled. One former member said: ‘He should be thrown out of the club if he refuses to cover his tattoos.’

Another said: ‘He wouldn’t be playing if I was still at the club.’