Gay Or Straight - It Means Nothing In Footy | Thebigtip

The Australian Football League is a competition which has endured numerous major events since the competition's inception. Like most sports, Australian Rules was part of the discrimination of dark-skinned people that plagued the world during the 20th century. Although the triumph of equal rights for both coloured and white people is a huge advancement in both sport and society, another social issue has made its way into the AFL.

Homosexuality is slowly becoming more accepted in society (and rightly so) but when it comes to the AFL, it seems that the choice of 'coming out of the closet' is one that is more tentative.

Based on The Social Organization of Sex: Sexual Practices in the United States, 2.8% of males identify themselves as either homosexual or bisexual. If you apply these figures to the 796 players in the AFL, 22 do not consider themselves straight. That is more than one player per team.

In an ideal accepting world, these players would be able to reveal themselves to the public as homosexuals without any questioning of their intentions on the football field but unfortunately, this will not be the case. The AFL will be able to do their part in punishing those that choose to verbally abuse gay players in the competition but the biggest issue will be the way that the general public respond to the news. It's unfortunate, but distasteful comments from the outer are seldom able to be contained. The situation would be similar to that of racism towards Aboriginals that is still evident in today's game.

Thankfully, the modern game is one that offers the same opportunities in the AFL to Aboriginals and white Australians alike. I am glad to say that the AFL is a different competition today than what it was 40 years ago with Aboriginals making up 11% of listed players in 2011, but not all accept these footballers in modern society. Unfortunately for homosexual players, the likelihood of acceptance is lower than that of Aboriginal players.

It's ridiculous to assume that a gay player will not be as focused on the game as a straight footballer but that won't stop a large number of supporters questioning the hardiness of those that are interested in the same sex. Despite popular opinion of ignorant gay-bashers, not all gay men are interested in every other male at all times of the day, just as straight people aren't interested in every other straight person.

Being a homosexual means nothing when it comes to playing football. In fact, homosexuality is as relative to football as a favourite television show or colour. What these players choose to do off the field is of no concern to us.

Ex-Brisbane and Western Bulldogs player and loud-mouth ignoramus Jason Akermanis made a fool of himself by saying that gays should stay in the closet because the competition isn't ready for them, stating "What you do in your private life is your business." While Akermanis was correct in saying so, their private lives should have no impact on the opinions of observers. It shouldn't matter whether a player is white, black, gay or straight - it's irrelevant when the siren sounds and it's time to play football.

The AFL has shown great initiative by allowing a host of AFL names to voice their views on the issue. In 2010, photos of AFL personalities holding signs with comments regarding homosexuals in football were released as part of a campaign to fight homophobia. Names such as Jimmy Bartel, Jude Bolton, Ashley Hansen, Drew Petrie, Daniel Jackson, Aaron Sandilands, Matthew Pavlich, Brad Sewell, Paul Roos, Mark Thompson and David Parkin all partook in the photographs with phrases such as 'Black, white, gay or straight, it's about diversity mate!' and 'Everyone deserves a sporting chance' written in bold text on display.

The images were released over 12 months ago now and although it was a magnificent thing for the AFL to do, very little has been done to follow the images up. It's time for a bit more action if the AFL are serious about wiping out homophobes involved with football.

At the end of the day, most players will have no problem lining up on a homosexual player. What needs to change is the public's ignorant standpoint on what is right and wrong. If you genuinely believe that being attracted to the opposite sex makes you inferior in any way, on the field or off the field, then the very least you deserve is a wake-up slap. What impact does it have on you if someone is interested in men?

I look forward to the day that the first player comes out and opens up about their sexual preference to the football public. When it happens, a big step will be taken in the direction of both gay and human acceptance in Australia.