In 1993, with his shirt raised and his middle finger pointed squarely at his stomach, Nicky Winmar told us that racism wasn’t welcome in sport and should no longer be accepted as ‘part of the game’.
Despite initial resistance, and two years before the AFL codified this expectation, a movement was born. Australian sport can be proud of its attempts to eradicate racism in recent years. Yet other forms of discrimination, particularly sexism and homophobia, remain largely unchallenged across all levels of sport.
Last week, however, the heads of Australia’s four major sporting codes, the AFL, NRL, Australian rugby union and Cricket Australia, came together to unite in “an unprecedented commitment to eliminate discrimination against gay, lesbian and bisexual players, coaches, administrators and fans in their sport”. Presenting a unified front and making a public stance on homophobia is without doubt a positive step.
The 20 years since Winmar’s famous gesture provide valuable lessons on how to tackle social issues within sport. Yet, to address racism and homophobia in the same manner ignores the complexities of each issue.
Racism largely targets people’s appearance. It is to do with their ancestry, their culture, their heritage, as well as their skin colour. Someone’s sexual orientation, particularly in a sporting context, is not so obvious.
Therefore, while the impacts of racism and homophobia may be comparable, to assume we can address them in the same way is overly simple.
Many people point to the fact that there are no publicly non-heterosexual players in any of our major sporting codes as proof of inherent homophobia. While it can be hard to argue with this interpretation, it is overly simplistic.
While any player who doesn’t fit the hetero-normative stereotype would be worried about how teammates and coaches might respond, there are factors such as friends, family, supporters, crowd members, and most significantly, I would imagine, the media, that must be taken in to account.
Being the first publicly known non-heterosexual player in any of these codes will be a huge flag to carry, and there must be many athletes not prepared to carry that burden.
Therefore, the point of any anti-homophobia campaign should not be to have people ‘come out’. Rather, it should be about fostering environments that are welcoming and inclusive, in both sport and the wider community. It appears that this is what this new campaign is about.
We must remember that sexuality is a very personal matter, and that just because someone isn’t discussing it through the media doesn’t necessarily mean that they are hiding it.
I applaud these sports for making a public stand about an issue that causes much heartache for many people, particularly young people, around the country. However, if we expect the major sporting codes to affect all social change for us we will be very disappointed. Not because they are incapable, but because homophobia and homophobic beliefs extend far beyond the sporting arena.
If this campaign is to become anything more than symbolism, it must extend into schools, workplaces and anywhere else people meet. It must move beyond overt forms of homophobic language and focus on the Australian culture that says it’s OK to call your friend a poof, to call an opposition player a homo, or to describe something as gay.
We need to make it unacceptable to tell someone to go ‘suck a dick’, or to use any other language that infers that it’s wrong to be gay, or that it is something to be ashamed of.
This language is used daily by people who don’t realise its impact. While many bemoan the age of political correctnesss’ young people around the country are constantly being told, inadvertently, that they are less valuable because of their sexual orientation.
A common defence of this homophobic language is that it isn’t directed at someone who is gay and that it’s just a throwaway comment, that people shouldn’t be so sensitive. We need to understand, however, that there are many people who remain ashamed of their sexuality or are frightened to be outed. That welcoming and inclusive environment doesn’t exist yet.
We need to understand that the use of this language reinforces shame and fear on a daily basis. We must acknowledge that language is powerful and that words hurt, even when they aren’t intended to. We must listen to the GLBTIQ community about their experiences and learn why many don’t play sport, particularly male team sports. We must ask and listen to what makes them feel unsafe and unwelcome.
We must begin to understand that homophobia is more than directly vilifying or discriminating against someone due to their sexuality. It is also the homophobic language that people use on a daily basis, across the entire Australian community. There is no doubt that major sporting organisations and other businesses play an important role in social change.
Yet, if standards being set by these companies aren’t taken seriously by sport and ignored in the rest of the community, the agreements reached in Sydney become nothing other than a good photo opportunity.
Luke Ablett is a former AFL player and premiership winner with the Sydney Swans. He is currently studying a Masters of Gender and Development and is a lover of good music, coffee and books. You can follow him on Twitter @Luke_Ablett.
adspad
Guest
"What stays on tour stays on tour", 'macho men of the 70′s and 80′s', ,"boys being boys", 'heated", 'rib each other', 'masculine and rugged", "mince", "things get heated", "allow that masculinity to be let out", "man up". Phwoar! Its getting steamy in here Johnno!
One Born Every Minute
Guest
No sorry, I don't buy it. There are just as many, if not more, openly gay entertainers in Australia. There are also large numbers of openly Gay people behind the scenes, (Producers, Directors etc..). And its like people around here never have heard of such events as the Gay and Lesbian Mardi-Gra (spelling, and only the biggest event of its kind in the world). So if anything, S.E.Asia can learn from us.
One Born Every Minute
Guest
It so funny that you actually think politicians represent their constituents ideals (let alone their own) and that it's reflected in their policy decisions. No, it really is cute. Politicians tow the party line and there's a reason why there are very few conscience votes in Parliament. It allows politicians to vote how they actually want to. And guess what, that's quite often against the mindset of the party they're a member of and therefore that's why the low number of them. So to further put a dent in your argument its been shown time and time again, via internal party polling, that if a conscience vote was allowed on gay marriage it would pass. And this waffle about a referendum. Do you know why research companies use polls and surveys to predict elections results? Because they're actually are an accurate measure of how people will vote. So with some of the Gay marriage polls registering up 80% in the positive, I would gladly put a large sum on it that it would pass a referendum vote (which I think is 66% to pass). But any way, going but your last couple of sentences, you seem a little confused. I think myself that homophobia is simply repulsive and puerile, but I get even more annoyed when people say no one has got the right to disagree, no matter how stupid there arguments are. But you can disagree with this, you're free to.
Gecko
Guest
In most parts of South east Asia, people are more relaxed about homophobia. Many entertainers are openly gay, including many radio DJs. Haven't seen an openly gay politician in south east Asia (and Malaysian opposition leader got jailed for alleged homosexuality) so I'm not saying it's perfect, but Australia could at least learn from the entertainment industry in S.E.Asia.
strayan
Guest
i don't think it's bigotry or homophobic to question why the government is not pursuing the homosexual agenda. If we as a society are being ordered to accept something, surely it makes sense for the government to step in and lead the social change. If the government is for serving the people and the "majority of people" (as claimed) support homosexual marriage, i cannot understand why this has not happened and looks likely not to happen for a long time. put the question up for the Australian people to have a vote in a referendum. If the homosexual agenda is as confident as th'ey think, by all means let's get this issue sorted once and for all. I am sick and tired of being bullied into not only accepting and supporting homosexual lifestyles and marriage but now being pressured to hide my personal opinion on the definition of marriage, now living in fear of being accused of bigotry and hate crime.
Strummer Jones
Guest
Its a good point Geoff. Obviously a much bigger problem than I'd imagined. On the football field it must be more serious at AFL level. Is the writer suggesting there are known gay players at AFL level and they are being targeted? Or is this a problem at say regional football levels?
One Born Every Minute
Guest
Oh what a lot of f**ken dribble "strayan." Two things really stand out though "Could it be that they know that the vote will be destroyed by an overwhelming majority? That most of the population, despite the years of campaigning of the homosexual lifestyle in pop culture, still find the concept of homosexual sex utterly revolting?" Yet most polls show the majority Australians do support homosexual marriage. Kinds of puts a big hole in your argument " I know that stating these facts will attract the vitriol of the aggressive gay agenda who hysterically shoot down anyone who won’t agree with their views but I'm sorry this country is just too “backward” to demand widespread acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle." I guess you never been to some of the African countries where you can be arrested for homosexuality or have scene the recent changes in Russian law then. It's not like any homosexual has there basic human rights protected in Australia being so backwards and all. Oh wait, they do. Funny you mentioned Penny Wong too. If she came out in the good old USA as a gay politician what do you think would happen? I'm' sorry, the only vitriol here seems to be coming from you. Hyperbole and exaggerating your point is doing more damage to your "cause" then good. As soon as you and others realise that its alright to think what you want to think so long as you don't incite hatred or violence, then their nothing wrong with it, no matter how ridiculous to you it might seem. Now I wait for the usual labels of homophobic and bigot because I choose to defend free speech and thought . Which is amusing because most of the labels are coming from those who are fighting against them when concerning homosexuality (looking at you strayan).
expathack
Guest
It's not a competition mate , the fact that racism exists doesn't make homophobia any less of a problem. And to be brutally honest, I think you and the other posters on here making the comparison are slyly implying that one is somehow more ok than the other as far as you're concerned.
Cat
Roar Guru
hard to judge how big an issue homophobia is since so many gay people still hide in fear. Both racism and homophobia need to be stamped out as fast as possible. I'll agree that some segments of the media and people of Australia would have us all think both issues are dead and buried ... far from it.
strayan
Guest
this issue will continue to fester under the surface until society officially accepts and recognises the homosexual lifestyle with the legalising of gay marriage and in turn throwing away the age-old definition of marriage. Once homosexual relationships are validated by the state, there will be no reason to be 'hating on the gays.' Now this leads us to the bigger issue of "marriage equality." Why do government after government refuse to address this important issue? The homosexual agenda had it's biggest friend for change in Julia Gillard, a leftist liberal woman who practices a de-facto relationship, is a proud atheist and pro abortion and has a daughter who is a lesbian. Yet, she cowered away from pushing it. Why? Even then openly lesbian and feminist Penny Wong adamantly disagrees with the notion of a national referendum into the matter. Why? Could it be that they know that the vote will be destroyed by an overwhelming majority? That most of the population, despite the years of campaigning of the homosexual lifestyle in pop culture, still find the concept of homosexual sex utterly revolting? I know that stating these facts will attract the vitriol of the aggressive gay agenda who hysterically shoot down anyone who won't agree with their views but i'm sorry this country is just too "backward" to demand widespread acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle.
alicesprings
Guest
Australia has a much bigger issue with racism than it has with homophobia. I gladly invite you to spend some time in Central Australia if you disagree. I agree with you that both issue are largely about respect!…but sadly progress is/has and will continue to be very slow. Sometimes i think our very 'PC' media does us a disservice by creating the impression that we have made great gains in these areas. The truth on the ground is much more sobering.
Elizabeth
Guest
As far as I am concerned , If you are capable and willing to give it EVERYTHING you have , Then I could care less if you are gay ,straight or bisexual . And Further more , It is none of anyone elses business anyway .
Geoff Lemon
Expert
I don't see them as separate issues. They're both about fundamental respect - giving people the right to be themselves and live their lives without being attacked for who they are.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Correct. I mean it's easy for people to say it's a minor problem when they're not the ones who deal with the consequences.
Cat
Roar Guru
Wish I lived in your fantasy land. Sounds like a far more tolerant place then reality.
turbodewd
Guest
I mean homophobia occurs FAR FAR less than in decades past. You surely know this. Ive work with gay guys and gals and I dont bad an eyelid. Never have. This is not a big issue. Penny Wong might be a Prime Minister within 7 years, Id consider voting for her as would millions of others. This is not a big issue. Again, it is 20 years late. Australia is, to some degree, a post-homophobic society.
Alicesprings
Guest
Don't know about comparing racism and homophobia...no offense intended but know which is the bigger issue up here. That said it's obviously a hot topic done south..what sparked this debate?? The poor fella that is the first to 'come out'..media field day! No surprise it hasn't happened yet.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Slane im not homophobic an i suggest you read my comments on yestys Union site on Roar before you start calling me homophobic.
slane
Guest
Mate, you are homophobic if you are against gay people. It's the definition of the word. If you don't like being called a homophobe I suggest you stop acting like one. Get over the fact that some guys aren't attracted to women and worry about your own life.
Pete
Guest
Gene, if you're referring to Geoff's comment I think if you read it again you will see you are both actually in agreement.