It’s Deja Vu in Rugbyland with Izzy Folau back in the limelight. It’s got nothing to do with his record of 60 tries, but another Instagram post condemning “homosexuals” along with drunks, atheists, etc.
Full disclosure. I’m an atheist, my brother is gay, I spend most of my weekend drunk, and I worship sport, so I tick a few of Izzy’s hell-bound boxes. I also have several devoutly religious mates, and believe Australia should be a land of religious freedom.
I do believe in freedom of speech, however, that does not result in freedom from ramifications. Caveats over, here are the three reasons I believe RA should come down heavily on Israel Folau.
There are financial implications
Now I don’t believe this is the most important, as I am a little more emotionally biased when it comes to the topic, but it’s a blatant and irrefutable issue. There is most likely going to be backlash from existing sponsors wanting to distance themselves from Izzy and these types of messages.
Related
Let’s look at the Wallabies major sponsor – Qantas. On Twitter, they are the ‘Qantas Wallabies’, with the logo is slapped across the gold jersey. Meanwhile, Qantas are one of Australia’s most inclusive hirers.
Qantas has strong LGBTI connections, their CEO is openly gay. It’s not hard to imagine that they may not want their brand on the chest of a bloke posting that all gay people are going to hell.
I’m sure they would be able to find a replacement sponsor should Qantas deem this to be enough, but I daresay from a branding position, there may be fewer takers, and with a fewer dollars.
Israel Folau. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
RA as an employer needs to consider their work culture
I’ll admit, I’m in marketing and the bulk of my time spent with HR has been from organising work piss-ups. Again, I’m headed to the bad place. Whilst the world of professional sport is a unique one, RA is an employer which holds its employees to a code of conduct.
If I were to wander the halls of my office with similar statements of condemnation, the next EOFY party would be organised by Jenny from accounts, as I believe I would be bounced from the office rather quickly.
It is not about hamstringing Folau’s right to religious freedom, as it is about having a harmonious work environment. I often wonder what David Pocock thinks of Izzy’s comments, given Poey’s history of calling out of homophobic slurs on the rugby pitch.
Australia’s Israel Folau, right, is shown a yellow card during their rugby union test match against Ireland in Sydney, Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Israel Folau is meant to be a role model – to all rugby fans
Kids will naturally look up to their sports heroes as role models, which admittedly can be fraught with danger. The excuse “I didn’t sign up for being a role model”, is a load of s*** given the salaries and expectations on their engagement.
Australia has a proud gay rugby culture, with Aussie sides taking out six of the last seven Bingham Cups (shout out to my cousin, George, who plays for the Sydney Convicts).
I believe Izzy’s actions show a lack of empathy to any young Australians who would feel attacked by his posts. I know many people who struggled with their own sexual identity at a young age, and if they were to hear such disparaging comments from their idol, well it can have untold impacts on their mental health.
Yes, as a proud Christian man he deserves to be able to be a strong role model for young Christians, too, but I put it to him, that it doesn’t need to be done by vilifying and condemning gay people. They aren’t mutually exclusive.
Fwoar, there’s my six cents, two for each point. It’s an emotionally charged issue, however, as it’s Groundhog Day for Rugby Australia, they may need to make a bold, rational decision.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Every single organisation with any sort of credibility has values. Whether you agree with those values or not is immaterial. What is important is that if you choose to be employed by that organisation, you agree to abide by those values. If you don't, there are consequences. Flip the equation around - say there was someone in Folau's church (an employee) who got up and publicly said that gays should be allowed to preach at that church. What do you think would happen to that employee?
GK
Guest
Ive seen the code of conduct for RA. Clearly breached
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Only if you dont understand the basic principles of evolution. Which clearly you don’t. There is no faith needed for evolution if you actually knew anything about it.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
They need to be allowed to ‘limit these private rights’ in order to protect their brand. Last time he made these type of comments, major sponsors threatened to leave. It is reasonable that RA should be allowed to sanction or terminate the employment of an employee who seriously threatens the wellbeing of Rugby Australia, and therefore the health of the sport itself in this country.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
No, Jacko.
On brief
Guest
Why? I assume his views threaten you in some way?
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
That's pretty big talk from a Cheifs fan :)
In brief
Guest
As an adulterer I copped a spray and guess what? I don't care. Are gays so desperate to fit in. Isn't it cool to be an outlaw, a rebel?
Machpants
Roar Guru
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/04/11/israel-folau-termination-intention-Rugby-Australia
Jacko
Guest
And yet believing in evolution takes just as much "faith" as any religion does
In brief
Guest
Really? If so you were in the minority. Most people are more concerned by an innocuous identity sleight than by the permanent destruction of our national heritage and environment. The hypocrisy is staggering.
Jacko
Guest
Come on Guys I love watching Reds games when my side is playing them
In brief
Guest
As a young man I stopped being a Christian when I realised one of my favourite pastimes- adultery (sexual fantasy) was a sin. How on earth any gay person could be offended by a Christian telling them homosexuality is a sin is a mystery. Is our education system so poor that this comes as a shock?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Israel Folau is meant to be a role model – to all rugby fans Gareth, I'll assume the above unbeatable stupidity was Roar's editorial, and not your own heading.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Well I never got any further than Cardiff but there were quite a few pubs there that were doing alright. When was that revival exactly and how well do you remember it ;)
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yep I stands corrected ta.
Hoges
Roar Rookie
Actually we don’t have Freedom of Speech. The US have a specific Freedom of Speech clause in their constitution and they still have many restrictions on what is allowed. Freedom of Speech is not part of our constitution and is not protected by our laws.
Jimmy
Roar Rookie
Kids don’t need to develop resilience by being harrassed and ridiculed. If that’s how we do it, then yes some will end up tough, but a whole heap will end up with mental health problems, or dead. The stats around LGBTIQ mental health and suicide have been posted here several times and prove that this is right.
ScottD
Roar Guru
We love you too, Will. But your version of “truth” sure as hell isn’t shared by me.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
I AM - and proud of it too - just tell me where to sign :)