HOMOSEXUALITY with AFL Footballers

[hawkeyehogan]

2011 is around the corner do we think the first AFL player will come out too start this new decade.AFL will be heading into new unknown territory never been seen before.How will the media and the public react to this.The nude scandal of football players has this touched a nerve?

 

[Kaan]

Don't care.

I just want to watch Football.

 

[Doctorb]

2011 is around the corner do we think the first AFL player will come out too start this new decade.AFL will be heading into new unknown territory never been seen before.How will the media and the public react to this.The nude scandal of football players has this touched a nerve?

Mate, it's nearly the year 2011. Don't you think that society has moved on from this childish "OMG THE GAYZ" mentality?

Suppose that someone did come out. What then?

Yes, Rupert's newspapers will have something sensational to write about.

Yes, a portion of those newspaper's readers will get caught up in it all.

Yes, some homophobic assholes out there will scream and shout about society's moral decay.

And all of this will last a week before those people move onto the next Scandal Of The Week.


But I like to think that in the year 2010/11, that these people represent the minority, and the rest of us just don't give a shit about whether someone is into boys or girls.

 

[Righteo]

Mate, it's nearly the year 2011. Don't you think that society has moved on from this childish "OMG THE GAYZ" mentality?

Suppose that someone did come out. What then?

Yes, Rupert's newspapers will have something sensational to write about.

Yes, a portion of those newspaper's readers will get caught up in it all.

Yes, some homophobic assholes out there will scream and shout about society's moral decay.

And all of this will last a week before those people move onto the next Scandal Of The Week.


But I like to think that in the year 2010/11, that these people represent the minority, and the rest of us just don't give a shit about whether someone is into boys or girls.

Excellent post, I'm not sure anything else needs to be said.

 

[nineteen eighty]

Mate, it's nearly the year 2011. Don't you think that society has moved on from this childish "OMG THE GAYZ" mentality?

Suppose that someone did come out. What then?

Yes, Rupert's newspapers will have something sensational to write about.

Yes, a portion of those newspaper's readers will get caught up in it all.

Yes, some homophobic assholes out there will scream and shout about society's moral decay.

And all of this will last a week before those people move onto the next Scandal Of The Week.


But I like to think that in the year 2010/11, that these people represent the minority, and the rest of us just don't give a shit about whether someone is into boys or girls.

Agree with riteo...excellent post!!!!

 

[Asgardian]

It's a non-issue

A certain % of the population are gay, so logically a certain % of footballers are gay.

Just as long as they can play footy, who cares?

 

[MacMum]

Agreed....we also don't need to know who they are...thats their business..

 

[Big Blow Hard]

Couldn't give a shite. As long as they can play football.

 

[Amber Guzzler]

Mate, it's nearly the year 2011. Don't you think that society has moved on from this childish "OMG THE GAYZ" mentality?

Suppose that someone did come out. What then?

Yes, Rupert's newspapers will have something sensational to write about.

Yes, a portion of those newspaper's readers will get caught up in it all.

Yes, some homophobic assholes out there will scream and shout about society's moral decay.

And all of this will last a week before those people move onto the next Scandal Of The Week.


But I like to think that in the year 2010/11, that these people represent the minority, and the rest of us just don't give a shit about whether someone is into boys or girls.

While I completely agree, I don't think it's going to be that simple.

 

[Juddrockz]

When the first player even decides to "come out" everybody's response will be...."oh yeah I knew he was gay" anyway,so nothing new.
As posts before,If a gay guy is good enough player to be selected to play AFL he's sexual preferance is irrelevant.
Move on....

 

[PumpyChowdown]

I couldn't give a rats clackers about this issue, but I've thought that instead of one person coming out alone, it would make more sense for all gay players to come out as a group.

With ~750 players on current lists, assuming 5% are gay (much lower than the national average), then that's 35+ players.

Would make a strong statement.

 

[PumpyChowdown]

It sounds like 4% would be St Kilda Players.

Well, Zac Dawson's favourite song is "It's Raining Men"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddt_CKfM1c8

 

[Military_man]

Well, Zac Dawson's favourite song is "It's Raining Men"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddt_CKfM1c8

That explains everything haha

 

[Wallaby]

'There are no Homosexuals in the VFL' - Allen Aylett - VFL President, in 1979.







So there.

 

[Ant85]

Homosexuals are part of all aspects of society, and always have been.

Just a matter of recognising it, which I think most people in the football industry do.

Straight AFL players have been interviewed for gay magazines, recognising gay audiences. Gay personnel are known to be working in clubs, in high ranks too.

I know there have been gay umpires who have never hid their sexuality.

I know gay people who have slept with gay AFL footballers. Eddie himself said earlier in the year he's had gay footballers play for Collingwood in the past. I've had other football people tell me of gay players at other clubs in the past.

Homosexuality exists, we already know that, why do you need someone to be paraded on TV for it?

 

[white_noise]

This is a strong point you make. Would be handy if there was a player from almost every team willing to come out at once. Would stop a lot of sledging both on and off the field.

It seems Racial abuse has gone down a lot on and off the field now and I guess that could be partially credited to every team containing indigenous players.

For instance I would seem like the biggest ******** in the world if I was sitting in the stands abusing Paddy Ryder and Leeroy Jetta when they are lining up on the likes of Nathan Krakour and Liam Patrick.

If a large group were somehow able to come out together then it would do wonders for the code and probably even tolerance in the community. Would be even better if it was a joint effort with NRL players aswell! I don't think I could handle the GAYfl taunts anymore if it was just the AFL coming out

In the end let them be who they are, so long as they play decent football who cares

I couldn't give a rats clackers about this issue, but I've thought that instead of one person coming out alone, it would make more sense for all gay players to come out as a group.

With ~750 players on current lists, assuming 5% are gay (much lower than the national average), then that's 35+ players.

Would make a strong statement.

 

[Ruse]

Its gonna happen eventually.

 

[Military_man]

Homosexuals are part of all aspects of society, and always have been.

Just a matter of recognising it, which I think most people in the football industry do.

Straight AFL players have been interviewed for gay magazines, recognising gay audiences. Gay personnel are known to be working in clubs, in high ranks too.

I know there have been gay umpires who have never hid their sexuality.

I know gay people who have slept with gay AFL footballers. Eddie himself said earlier in the year he's had gay footballers play for Collingwood in the past. I've had other football people tell me of gay players at other clubs in the past.

Homosexuality exists, we already know that, why do you need someone to be paraded on TV for it?

I think that is what Aker was on about when he said in the media that gay AFL footballers should stay in the closet. If they came out in the media regardless on what people think about gays. The player or players would be shamed . Its society's way. Its like if the player misses a crutial shot at goal the crowd are gonna call out you silly ****. Its just the way it is. people never remember alot of average players but if that average player was gay and came out he will always be remembered as the gay footballer. I don't think a person should be remembered for thier sexuality i think they should be remembered for thier ability on the field. So what your saying is right. It shouldn't be paraded for all to see.

 

[Ant85]

I think that is what Aker was on about when he said in the media that gay AFL footballers should stay in the closet.

Ok, I think you misinterpreted what I said, because I don't agree with you at all.

My argument was that gays don't need to be paraded because it is part of society, and there's nothing wrong with it.

It has always been part of society, it's just been a question of whether the mainstream will recognise it or not. I can guarantee you that in 1900 gay people were involved in our game.

I don't think that recognition needs to come with a gay player being showcased in the media, and having his private life torn to shreds. That recognition comes from a gay player being comfortable to be out at his workplace, to his colleagues, to his teammates, to the people that matter in his life.

That's how you accept and embrace diversity. So no, I don't agree that a player should stay "in the closet" and suppress his identity. He should be free to be out within his club and to his friends, but neither should he be handpicked to satisfy a gossip, sensationalist and invasive media.

 

[Military_man]

Ok, I think you misinterpreted what I said, because I don't agree with you at all.

My argument was that gays don't need to be paraded because it is part of society, and there's nothing wrong with it.

It has always been part of society, it's just been a question of whether the mainstream will recognise it or not. I can guarantee you that in 1900 gay people were involved in our game.

I don't think that recognition needs to come with a gay player being showcased in the media, and having his private life torn to shreds. That recognition comes from a gay player being comfortable to be out at his workplace, to his colleagues, to his teammates, to the people that matter in his life.

That's how you accept and embrace diversity. So no, I don't agree that a player should stay "in the closet" and suppress his identity. He should be free to be out within his club and to his friends, but neither should he be handpicked to satisfy a gossip, sensationalist and invasive media.

I can see your point but don't you think the reason why gay AFL footballers haven't come out is because they will be judged for being gay. Its like when you talk about movie stars and you mention say a old legend in Rock Hudson who back in the day was a great actor but he was gay and died of AIDS. People will always remember him for being a gay. My father use to say he is a good actor for a gay. Or even if you talk about music and someone mentions Freddie Mercury who was the lead singer of the band Queen but he was gay and people always refer to him being gay not even his music overshadowed that fact. Funny thing is people even back then still bought his music when gays was frowned apon by old society.

 

[Thermo]

Military_man, your family is not the consensus of Australia. When most people I know mention Freddie Mercury they refer to him as the lead singer of Queen, not just a gay guy.

 

[borgsta2006]

Don't care.

I just want to watch Football.

best post this thread will get.

Footy is the only thing that matters.

 

[Call Me Cake]

I disagree with the whole "you'll only be known because of your homosexuality" thing. If you're good enough at what you do, nothing will overshadow that for you. And like another poster above me said, I always think of Freddie Mercury as the lead singer of Queen first, then gay.

This is the same everywhere, people will be known for what they do, alongside their sexuality. Sure, you'll know they're gay, but it'll be an even bigger que for you to remember what he/she does for a living. And if they're good at it, then even better.

Take Neil Patrick Harris as an example, people know he's gay, but he's funny and an awesome actor, so we also know him for that (in fact, most people forget!) - and you know what? I doubt he probably even cares if people know him for being gay alongside his work.

After all, if you come out, don't you want the whole world to know? I doubt gay people would even see it as a negative thing, more of a positive thing in fact.

It's a touchy subject, I have to admit. But there are a lot of things that most likely make it uncomfortable for gays in AFL. For example, most of the supporters, as well as the players, see the game as a TOUGH sport, a sport where you must be as alpha as you can be to get the better edge - and it isn't a secret that most men think homosexuality is a feminine, beta thing (not alpha) - so they come to conclusion that such a person cannot be tough, or isn't tough enough to be included with the rest of the football group, likewise with the supporters. Sad but true.

Neverthless... sexuality should be the last thing we care about, or ask about, anywhere. It really shouldn't be any of our business who someone else chooses to have sex with in the space of their privacy. I don't even understand why we would even want to know that - straight, gay or bisexual.

 

[Dont be a lemon]

Professional sport tends to be homophobic.

 

[tazaa]

The thing is Gays ARE accepted as apart of society these days.
Australia has come along way and the homophobia is still there, but today especially the gen xs and ys simply cant give two ****s whos gay and who isnt. More people are narcississt so instead of targeting gays now people want the spotlight.
Perfect example is this. A straight guy who boats about how he loves ****s and how many girls he can get. Girls will speak lesser of him and blokes would tell him to get a check up. Hes a tool. No need to open your mouth about it.
With gay guys its the same. Sure their more accepted but it doesn mean society want to hear about it.
And heres why i think itll cause an issue.
Coming out wont be the problem. Its afterwards where the openess about the topic becomes too much for others to bare itll start causing issues.
Better for the closet door to stay shut re. footballers.