The Australian Football League has publicly declared support for marriage equality.
The league stated its position on the issue in response to a letter from a mother who wrote in about her gay son.
“If the AFL publicly declares that they are in support of marriage equality you will give that young player who is struggling with their sexuality the courage to realise just who they are,” the letter read in part.
The league’s chief executive Gillon Mclachlan wrote responded, saying that the AFL had no place for homophobia, and he aimed to “to speak out in this area whenever I can.”
“The AFL will keep saying no matter how many times it takes, that our game does not tolerate discrimination in any form, be that sexual identity, gender, race (or) religious views and redress for any play, coach or official is written into our rules. We also support the position of marriage equality for all people.
“This matter is a serious issue for many young gay people, in terms of how they are treated in the wider community, and football leaders such as myself will continue to say that we do not tolerate it, and will continue to push for a change in behaviour from all sections of society.”
Ms Faulkner, who wrote the letter, has spoken in appreciation of Mclachlan’s comments, saying:
“The AFL’s policy of having no tolerance to discrimination in any form was heartening and for them to actually say that they support ‘the position of marriage equality for all people’ will make it so much easier for people to say ‘if the AFL and my football club can say no to discrimination and yes to equality, so can I’.” she said.
National director of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome, also welcomed the AFL’s support.
“I applaud the AFL for extending its leadership on combatting homophobia to support for marriage equality.”
“AFL is central to Australian identity and the AFL’s support for marriage equality reaffirms that values like inclusion and fairness are central too.”
