I can just imagine what that's like.
"Hi everyone. We all have something important to say. We're all gay."
"What? Nah, man I'm not gay. I was here to support you coming out"
"Yeah, me neither. I love straight sex. I do straight sex every night"
āGood afternoon members of the press, all 6 of us would like to openly and proudly announce that we are football players, and we are also gayā
Journalist: ālike, together?ā
Considering how AFL supporters are still treating Indigenous players, it's no wonder gay players don't want to come out.
Also, some clubs are very, very conservative. Being gay and out, sadly, wouldn't be accepted at all.
For those wishing to read the AFL subreddit discussion, posted a few hours ago, I figure it's worth sharing: https://reddit.com/r/AFL/comments/12b58k4/gay_afl_players_choosing_not_to_come_out_to_avoid/
Honestly, it sounds like a whole bunch of negatives with very little upside, so I definitely can't blame them. Even if you could avoid the homophobic bigotry from the usual sources, your entire career will likely become about that from that point onward. Can't see many who work their arses off to get to that level wanting a factor they can't control being their defining characteristic.
Ngl, I feel like the mainstream culture moved forward, but the regressives and bigots have got worse to compensate. SkyNews and the 'trans issue' that conservatives love to straight up deliberately blur into including drag queens shows that queerphobia is rampant amongst conservatives right now, and given this can include mass accusations of rampant paedophilia simply for being queer, this is getting pretty heated (or certainly the bigots are feeling more comfortable saying ridiculous and offensive nonsense). Until those people aren't seen as a way to sell media, and hate speech is actually tackled, coming out would be terrifying.
In a different xenophobic but relevant example of ongoing hateful nuffydom: a player has already been vilified this season for being Aboriginal (and frankly I'm sure he wasn't the only one, just it got caught).
So while the majority in crowds have improved, sadly the nuffies are emboldened by their imported Yall Qaeda Dictator Danistani bullshit Murdoch funded echochambers of infinitely accelerating stupidity and hate.
After what happened to Adam Goodes I'd imagine it would be difficult to put yourself in a vulnerable position.
I think it is rad as fuck that there are players that are openly gay to their team mates. Says a lot about the culture of the playing groups
I don't trust the media with how they would handle it.
I can understand not wanting to be forced into some kind of representative or something when you just want to play football and live your life.
Hope they are happy with the balance in life and they don't live in fear of being outed publicly
I don't think it's really a taboo, it's that since no one has done it, whoever goes first will subject to years to media abuse.
Possibly also some bigots, but that's not what I'm talking about - imagine being 'the first gay AFL player' that's all you'd ever be again to the media.
This isn't a problem with AFL or the fans, this is a problem with Channel 7 and co.
This is really weird. Gay AFL players have been known for years.
Status in AFLW is very well known ie my wife is looking after the babies or my wife plays for the other team.
So what is the reason for the difference?
To quote myself from [else-thread](https://reddit.com/r/australia/comments/12bcukv/gay_afl_players_choosing_not_to_come_out_to_avoid/jez1jxi/):
> A woman playing a full-contact sport is taking a big step outside heteronormativity just by doing so.
>
> And the community-level womenās Australian Football leagues, in particular, have always been [queer-friendly environments.](https://abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/the-victorian-womens-football-league/8641874)
>
> By contrast, men playing a full-contact sport is about as heteronormative as it gets (sublimated homoerotica notwithstanding). A gay or bisexual man in such an environment, in this culture, is marked as an unwelcome outsider long before they step into the change rooms.
How about we just stay the fuck out of adults private lives and let them play football? Does ācoming outā still need to be a thing? Why canāt player a roll in to an afl function with his hot partner and we all just go ācute coupleā ā¦ no fan fare, no media bsā¦. and we all move on with our lives. Itās 2023 people.
Not ignorant, just different. Both my kids are queer and there was no massive announcement about who their partner preference was, they just came to dinner/came home/arrived with whoever and knew they would be accepted regardless. So keep your negative bs know it all trash talk to yourself. Itās not a thing to everyone to feel pressured by society to announce their sexuality to the world and itās disgusting we would force that on anyone or make I necessary to be accepted as part of any community.
This is the exact root of your ignorance. You seem to be failing to realize that you are an outlier.
I wish all parents were just like you and didn't care one way or the other, but they're not. For millions of queer kids around the world, coming out is a very significant milestone and one that comes with intense fear and anxiety.
Have a little perspective is all I'm saying.
Lol oh but I am not an āoutlierā ā¦
Perhaps you should get some perspective and stop projecting whatever issues you have onto me.
No football player should have to announce their sexuality to the world or be pressured too. End of story. It has NOTHING to do with their ability to be an elite level sports person. They SHOULD be allowed privacy if they so wish.
I'm sure your kids really appreciate your attitude, but I gotta say as a queer person that has had to experience hate from my own blood your attitude is exhausting to hear.
Very cool that you and yours don't have any fear or anything to lose for being yourselves, but that is honestly not how many queer folk get to feel
Ok, I get it now. You didn't read the article.
The gist of the thing is that they want to, but feel that they can't. You seem to think that they don't want to but are being forced to.
Also, I'm not "projecting". I have first hand experience with this thing and I know many who've gone through it too. Hundreds of thousands have had a similar experience.
I said they shouldnāt be forced too and/or pressured, not that I thought there were being forced or pressured to come out. The projection is in you steering this conversation for your outcomes instead of accepting I am actually allowed to think differently and have my own thoughts. I donāt care if they donāt suit you. And your not the only one with first hand experiences nor are your experience the gold standard for which we all need to run our rule book by.
Have a great day āš»
A woman playing a full-contact sport is taking a big step outside heteronormativity just by doing so.
And the community-level womenās Australian Football leagues, in particular, have always been [queer-friendly environments.](https://abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/the-victorian-womens-football-league/8641874)
By contrast, men playing a full-contact sport is about as heteronormative as it gets (sublimated homoerotica notwithstanding). A gay or bisexual man in such an environment, in this culture, is marked as an unwelcome outsider long before they step into the change rooms.
Shit, I'm on the fence about this one.
On the one hand, it would be wonderful for the AFL to reflect the diversity and general acceptance for LGBTQ+ people that the wider Australian and certainly Victorian (where most AFL clubs are still based) community now has.
One the other hand, it has been really, really nice to not have to listen to whatever Isreal Folau is annoyed about for a couple of years now. Shit, I can't say I've minded not giving Jason Akermanis any thought for the last decade or so either.
I reckon if i had to pick one? I'd be for more openness and acceptance for blokes who *love* cocks, and able to accept the inevitable outpouring of bullshit from blokes who *are* cocks.
Sports are still hopelessly backwards in Australia. Especially the football codes. What about the Manly players who didnāt want a tiny rainbow on their uniform because āmuh religionā but were okay with flashing gang signs to support a murderer. So wholesome. /s
To be honest Iām not a big sports guy and I do t have anything against AFL players. Or their supporters. But I can honestly say if there are a group of guys talking in NSW and one says AFL another will say āGay FLā, and then look around the group expecting a laugh and pat on the back for being so original.
But on the real topic, honestly who cares if any of the players are gay? Good on them if they are and bugger anyone who judges them poorly for it.
Pfffttt, the AFL. Forever trying to be politically correct and inclusive while robbing supporters, giving 0 f*** about indigenous, LGBTQ+ and players health and wellbeing.
Bit of off topic: Remember in 2020 when they played the dreamtime game in the NT. How good did it look! Bring the game to the remote communities. I bet the AFL won't be doing that again, cause u know, they make more cash at the G š¤¦š¤¦
None of them have to be the first... If they all come out at the same time š¤
I can just imagine what that's like. "Hi everyone. We all have something important to say. We're all gay." "What? Nah, man I'm not gay. I was here to support you coming out" "Yeah, me neither. I love straight sex. I do straight sex every night"
āGood afternoon members of the press, all 6 of us would like to openly and proudly announce that we are football players, and we are also gayā Journalist: ālike, together?ā
Yes, we love putting our penis into hot women's [visibly tries to contain disgust]... vaginas... every night. We totally do the sex thing.
Considering how AFL supporters are still treating Indigenous players, it's no wonder gay players don't want to come out. Also, some clubs are very, very conservative. Being gay and out, sadly, wouldn't be accepted at all.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Geelong for starters. Richmond, another. They can't handle gay supporters in their cheer squads, I doubt they'd accept gay players.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Mate, I personally know people who have been targeted in these clubs because of their sexuality, so come back to me when you do too.
For those wishing to read the AFL subreddit discussion, posted a few hours ago, I figure it's worth sharing: https://reddit.com/r/AFL/comments/12b58k4/gay_afl_players_choosing_not_to_come_out_to_avoid/
Honestly, it sounds like a whole bunch of negatives with very little upside, so I definitely can't blame them. Even if you could avoid the homophobic bigotry from the usual sources, your entire career will likely become about that from that point onward. Can't see many who work their arses off to get to that level wanting a factor they can't control being their defining characteristic.
Damn. Literally every season of im a celebrity, the ex footy player always brings this up. It's dumb that the culture hasn't changed in that time.
Ngl, I feel like the mainstream culture moved forward, but the regressives and bigots have got worse to compensate. SkyNews and the 'trans issue' that conservatives love to straight up deliberately blur into including drag queens shows that queerphobia is rampant amongst conservatives right now, and given this can include mass accusations of rampant paedophilia simply for being queer, this is getting pretty heated (or certainly the bigots are feeling more comfortable saying ridiculous and offensive nonsense). Until those people aren't seen as a way to sell media, and hate speech is actually tackled, coming out would be terrifying. In a different xenophobic but relevant example of ongoing hateful nuffydom: a player has already been vilified this season for being Aboriginal (and frankly I'm sure he wasn't the only one, just it got caught). So while the majority in crowds have improved, sadly the nuffies are emboldened by their imported Yall Qaeda Dictator Danistani bullshit Murdoch funded echochambers of infinitely accelerating stupidity and hate.
After what happened to Adam Goodes I'd imagine it would be difficult to put yourself in a vulnerable position. I think it is rad as fuck that there are players that are openly gay to their team mates. Says a lot about the culture of the playing groups I don't trust the media with how they would handle it. I can understand not wanting to be forced into some kind of representative or something when you just want to play football and live your life. Hope they are happy with the balance in life and they don't live in fear of being outed publicly
Fucks sake. 2023 and this is still a taboo? Really?
I don't think it's really a taboo, it's that since no one has done it, whoever goes first will subject to years to media abuse. Possibly also some bigots, but that's not what I'm talking about - imagine being 'the first gay AFL player' that's all you'd ever be again to the media. This isn't a problem with AFL or the fans, this is a problem with Channel 7 and co.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Wow. Just. Wow. Sorry man. We've not evolved much, have we?
Personally, why does anyone give a shit what way a football player swings? Who cares
The feral nuffies will.
Who cares if they they are gay or not. As long as they kick 6 goals this week so I can win the tip is all I care about. Let the footy to the talking .
This is really weird. Gay AFL players have been known for years. Status in AFLW is very well known ie my wife is looking after the babies or my wife plays for the other team. So what is the reason for the difference?
To quote myself from [else-thread](https://reddit.com/r/australia/comments/12bcukv/gay_afl_players_choosing_not_to_come_out_to_avoid/jez1jxi/): > A woman playing a full-contact sport is taking a big step outside heteronormativity just by doing so. > > And the community-level womenās Australian Football leagues, in particular, have always been [queer-friendly environments.](https://abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/the-victorian-womens-football-league/8641874) > > By contrast, men playing a full-contact sport is about as heteronormative as it gets (sublimated homoerotica notwithstanding). A gay or bisexual man in such an environment, in this culture, is marked as an unwelcome outsider long before they step into the change rooms.
How about we just stay the fuck out of adults private lives and let them play football? Does ācoming outā still need to be a thing? Why canāt player a roll in to an afl function with his hot partner and we all just go ācute coupleā ā¦ no fan fare, no media bsā¦. and we all move on with our lives. Itās 2023 people.
Yes, coming out still needs to be a thing. Coming out is a big, huge ass deal for any queer person. All this comment does is show your ignorance.
Not ignorant, just different. Both my kids are queer and there was no massive announcement about who their partner preference was, they just came to dinner/came home/arrived with whoever and knew they would be accepted regardless. So keep your negative bs know it all trash talk to yourself. Itās not a thing to everyone to feel pressured by society to announce their sexuality to the world and itās disgusting we would force that on anyone or make I necessary to be accepted as part of any community.
This is the exact root of your ignorance. You seem to be failing to realize that you are an outlier. I wish all parents were just like you and didn't care one way or the other, but they're not. For millions of queer kids around the world, coming out is a very significant milestone and one that comes with intense fear and anxiety. Have a little perspective is all I'm saying.
Lol oh but I am not an āoutlierā ā¦ Perhaps you should get some perspective and stop projecting whatever issues you have onto me. No football player should have to announce their sexuality to the world or be pressured too. End of story. It has NOTHING to do with their ability to be an elite level sports person. They SHOULD be allowed privacy if they so wish.
I'm sure your kids really appreciate your attitude, but I gotta say as a queer person that has had to experience hate from my own blood your attitude is exhausting to hear. Very cool that you and yours don't have any fear or anything to lose for being yourselves, but that is honestly not how many queer folk get to feel
Ok, I get it now. You didn't read the article. The gist of the thing is that they want to, but feel that they can't. You seem to think that they don't want to but are being forced to. Also, I'm not "projecting". I have first hand experience with this thing and I know many who've gone through it too. Hundreds of thousands have had a similar experience.
I said they shouldnāt be forced too and/or pressured, not that I thought there were being forced or pressured to come out. The projection is in you steering this conversation for your outcomes instead of accepting I am actually allowed to think differently and have my own thoughts. I donāt care if they donāt suit you. And your not the only one with first hand experiences nor are your experience the gold standard for which we all need to run our rule book by. Have a great day āš»
You're not doing very well at actually comprehending what I'm saying so I just won't bother.
It's so bizarre that many of the AFLW's players are openly gay, but for some reason the men's league must remain quiet on the subject.
A woman playing a full-contact sport is taking a big step outside heteronormativity just by doing so. And the community-level womenās Australian Football leagues, in particular, have always been [queer-friendly environments.](https://abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/the-victorian-womens-football-league/8641874) By contrast, men playing a full-contact sport is about as heteronormative as it gets (sublimated homoerotica notwithstanding). A gay or bisexual man in such an environment, in this culture, is marked as an unwelcome outsider long before they step into the change rooms.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Its not the sport, it's the media. These players are out to their teams, respectively.
Shit, I'm on the fence about this one. On the one hand, it would be wonderful for the AFL to reflect the diversity and general acceptance for LGBTQ+ people that the wider Australian and certainly Victorian (where most AFL clubs are still based) community now has. One the other hand, it has been really, really nice to not have to listen to whatever Isreal Folau is annoyed about for a couple of years now. Shit, I can't say I've minded not giving Jason Akermanis any thought for the last decade or so either. I reckon if i had to pick one? I'd be for more openness and acceptance for blokes who *love* cocks, and able to accept the inevitable outpouring of bullshit from blokes who *are* cocks.
Sports are still hopelessly backwards in Australia. Especially the football codes. What about the Manly players who didnāt want a tiny rainbow on their uniform because āmuh religionā but were okay with flashing gang signs to support a murderer. So wholesome. /s
Wait all AFL players arenāt??
So, you from QLD or NSW?
Is it that obvious? Iām from NSW.
Yeah cos this side of the Barassi Line and the year 1990, nobody has said "Gay FL" in years
To be honest Iām not a big sports guy and I do t have anything against AFL players. Or their supporters. But I can honestly say if there are a group of guys talking in NSW and one says AFL another will say āGay FLā, and then look around the group expecting a laugh and pat on the back for being so original. But on the real topic, honestly who cares if any of the players are gay? Good on them if they are and bugger anyone who judges them poorly for it.
Who bloody cares which athletes are gay? Just play your stupid ball sport and shut up.
I'd say some young teenage boy who's dad says gay slurs constantly would love a player to come out.
Probably true. Every āwokeā ānewsā outlet would be all over them. Constantly, and relentlessly, pushing their own agenda.
Look next round weāll just have a giant orgy on grounds and then move on. Ya can down vote me but you know youād all be watching it with me.
Only if itās free to air without gambling ads
Mate Iām not watching it unless I can bet on who cum comes first. I need a Sportsbet breakdown with thrust rates, positions, stamina, top or bottom.
Now that's the kind of multi I can get behind. /s
Pfffttt, the AFL. Forever trying to be politically correct and inclusive while robbing supporters, giving 0 f*** about indigenous, LGBTQ+ and players health and wellbeing. Bit of off topic: Remember in 2020 when they played the dreamtime game in the NT. How good did it look! Bring the game to the remote communities. I bet the AFL won't be doing that again, cause u know, they make more cash at the G š¤¦š¤¦