This weekend is a historic one for the AFL, and Australian sport more generally.
Saturday night’s match between St Kilda and Sydney will mark the first ever ‘Pride Game’. The inaugural match will celebrate the LGBTQI fans, players and staff working in the AFL community.
“It’s a historic moment, not just in the AFL but in world sport,” St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis said. “The unfortunate reality is the LGBTI community haven’t felt welcome at sport or at the footy.”
AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan continued with this sentiment, believing it was time the AFL used its influence to stamp out homophobia.
“We’re not trying to be the social leader on everything, but issues come up from time to time that we need to lead on and this is one of them,” McLachlan said. “We’re not going to solve anything through this one game.”
“Hopefully, we can make a small indent in young people’s lives so they feel comfortable coming out or having the conversations they need to have, and if they feel that little bit more accepted we’ve done our role.”
The theme for the match is rainbow, in honour of the gay pride flag. Rainbow will feature on the numbers of the Saints’ jumpers, the Sydney players’ socks, the goal umpire’s flags and on the 50 metre arcs.
But outrage over the game was expected. Anytime the AFL takes a stance on an issue outside the traditional realm of footy, people tend to get angry. Radio broadcaster Tom Elliot wasn’t shy in lending his voice to this anger, saying he doesn’t want the AFL to “lecture” him on “political messages”.
“I don’t care if it’s about indigenous culture or gay players or multiculturalism or women’s issues or whatever,” Elliot said.
But this sort of flippant, and frankly downright ignorant attitude, just emphasises why initiatives like the Pride Game are so important.
Sport can be a special place. It does bring people from all areas of society together and differences are often put aside in favour of the action on the field.
But unfortunately, there is a culture surrounding the sport which lends itself to discrimination. Although things are changing, racism, homophobia, and sexism are still prevalent to this day.
At this point in time, there is no openly gay footballer at AFL level. There never has been, even though statistically speaking there would be gay players in the league.
This speaks volumes.
So this is why we need a Pride Game. It’s not about making the AFL more ‘political’. It’s about making the AFL an environment where people are able to feel comfortable and confident with who they are.
Lroy
Guest
How do you explain to an 8 year old what ''gay pride '' is?? Cant we just leave politics and social issues to those who are qualified to discuss it and just get on with playing footy?? People are getting tired of these things getting shoved down their throats. are we going to have a ''Free Palestine '' round next week??
STEVEN ELLIS
Guest
Spoton !! Ofcourse its all about media coverage, pr, marketing..but above all..positive branding' .. what disgenous fascile clap trap from the AFL again...self-appointed social 'leader' ..really? On what possible basis ?? That this sport alone,,,a minor domestic only sport somehow alone encompasses all the best attributes and most positive norms in society..?. AFL obviously wants everyone to believe the self-serving pr and cosy contra deals by its array of media 'partners' that ensures everything AFL says and does is presented as uncritical positive news..
XI
Roar Guru
I am really happy that this game is finally happening. One of the reasons I stopped playing sport was because of the homophobia (in AFL, touch football and cricket) and as a bisexual person I didn't want to spend time with people who weren't worth it. Maybe it'll be the first step but if Brian "He looks like a poofter" Taylor is commentating then I won't be watching. As an aside, I prefer GSM (Gender and Sexual Minorities) than LGBT or any of its expansions. It's a simple, memorable acronym to cover all the various identities without unintentionally excluding any.
TomC
Roar Guru
No, it's not contentious. Feeling a little queezy watching two guys kiss is conditioned, not innate. The contention is about homosexuality, not people's reaction to men kissing.
Cat
Roar Guru
The motivation is irrelevant as long as it still does some good.
me too
Guest
that's a much debated and contentious point. believing emotional response to sexual preference is only socially conditioned leads to the belief that homosexuals can be unprogrammed. personally i believe it's a biological wiring, probably originating in evolutionary conditioning .i.e. the partners of opposite sexes produced offspring. whatever or however it stems we'd hope that people apply the simple motto of live and let live. should we celebrate a gay lifestyle - i don't really care, but i'd celebrate living in a tolerant society that let's people celebrate whatever isn't directly harming others. that includes tolerating the intolerant of course. live and let live. i'd celebrate a saints premiership even more though!
Gecko
Guest
The crowd's response to such a theme game will be entirely predictable, with thousands booing as key announcements are made or key messages come up on the big screen. On one hand, it'll bring out the ugly side of AFL footy and that'll put some families and sponsors off. On the other hand, it'll drum up wider media attention beyond the footy world, and could be a particularly useful marketing ploy if the game is played in Sydney or Queensland. The division it stirs up won't do gays any good but the media attention could do AFL expansion some good in Queensland or Sydney.
offsider
Guest
The indigenous round works quite well,just ask Adam Goodes.
Mark
Guest
You've missed the point by so much it's funny.
Mark
Guest
Shut up
TomC
Roar Guru
That's a socialised response. It isn't 'hard wired by our natural inherent biological instincts'.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Well , I was living in America when Michael Sam , the first openly gay NFL player got drafted straight out of college to the St Louis Rams . On draft night , they showed him at his home passinonately kissing his boyfriend In celebration - it was comical to say the least . Sam is African American , 6ft 2 , 230 pounds , his boyfriend White 5,8 165 pounds . I remember watching this event at our local tennis club, there was an uncomfortable silence and when it finished most blokes avoided eye contact. Why am I telling you about this ? It made men feel very awarkward in the tennis clubhouse which confirms that most of us a hard wired by our natural inherent biological instincts , not to kiss men.
Don
Roar Rookie
Somewhat, but it all just detracts from the ones that have some merit.
Liam
Guest
Actually haven't been too bad - yet. Only thing I will say to those suggesting too many themed rounds is to ask exactly where's the bad here? If it's just marketing, then it's good marketing; if it's SJW pandering, then it isn't directed at or for you, and you can just enjoy the footy. Storm in a teacup here; this article says that the Pride round/game is a good thing, but hardly more than just the first step.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
How much of the motivation for this and other similar stunts is for brand promotion? Not a small degree, I suggest. "Look how great and caring we are, you can feel safe in giving us wads of sponsorship dollars"
Darren L
Roar Rookie
Well written Tara and I agree 100%.
TomC
Roar Guru
The real turning point will be when a player rocks up to the Brownlow medal with his boyfriend. Actually scratch that, the turning point will be when a player rocks up to the Brownlow medal with his boyfriend and no one even thinks to mention it.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
I should add this is a very good and level headed piece, and one that I agree with.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
Don't read the comments. Don't read the comments. Don't read the comments.
Gyfox
Guest
Whatever happened to the Pink Magpies supporter group?