Members of the Sydney Convicts joined by supporters from the Wallabies Australia’s five biggest sporting codes are uniting in an unprecedented stand against homophobia, and those behind the initiative are urging others around the world to do the same. Heads of the AFL, NRL, Australian Rugby Union, the Football Federation of Australia and Cricket Australia will today sign an ground-breaking commitment to eliminate discrimination against gay, lesbian and bisexual players, coaches, administrators and fans in their sports. Cricketers Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris, rugby player David Pocock and NRL stars Greg Inglis and Paul Gallen are among the high-profile athletes who will feature in an anti-homophobia TV ad that will air across Australia. The initiative came from the organisers of global gay rugby tournament the Bingham Cup, which is being held in Sydney in August, and its hosts the Sydney Convicts. It will be the first time in the world that all the major professional sports in a country have collectively committed to tackling discrimination based on sexual orientation. President of Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 and founder of the Sydney Convicts Andrew Purchas says many gay, lesbian and bisexual people still stay in the closet, or drop out of sport altogether, because of homophobic attitudes and discrimination in sport. “We have very few gay professional sportspeople who have felt safe to be open about their sexuality while competing and ultimately be role models to others. With these initiatives, we hope to see significant changes to sporting culture. “The major professional sporting codes are committed to do more than ban homophobic sledges. They have committed to create encouraging and welcoming sporting environments for gay, lesbian and bisexual people, whether they participate as players, officials or supporters.” The initiative is backed One of Australia’s most respected sportsmen, former Wallaby John Eales, who has long supported efforts to make sport more welcoming for gay people. “I feel we have reached a turning point in our efforts to change sporting culture so that sexuality is no longer an issue,” Eales says. “It’s important to focus entirely on a person’s ability to play a sport and not get caught-up in old fashioned, clearly incorrect stereotypes and assumptions about people. I’m very proud of the five Australian sporting organisations for undertaking this commitment to make their sport more welcoming, safe and inclusive.” Australia’s Minister for Sport Peter Dutton has also weighed in, saying he is proud to see Australian sports play such an important leadership role through making this commitment to diversity and inclusion. “There is no place for discrimination on our sporting fields, in our clubs or sports organisations.” Purchas says he hopes the commitment by Australia’s major professional sports will set a global precedent. “Discrimination in sport is something we see globally, in fact, sport is one of the last places in western societies where gay, lesbian and bisexual people still struggle to be accepted. We challenge sporting organisations around the world to adopt similar policies and make sport welcoming and safe for everyone.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 9th April 2014 - 11:48am