NRL players come out as bi… gots.
Written by Jordan Davies, Scott Henderson and Casey Conway.
We love it when this happens. Seven players from the Manly Sea Eagles’ NRL team decided not to play in last week’s Pride match against the Sydney Roosters because it’s too colourful for their comfort – ironic as we haven’t seen a bunch of guys stress about their lewks this hard since Mardi Gras.
The players stated that showing inclusion through fashion doesn’t align to their cultural or religious beliefs and had subsequently opted not to play in the game despite it being the deciding match in the team’s chances of reaching the finals. Basically, it’s another case of dudes claiming to be straight whilst getting fucked by gay guys.
The team’s coach, Des Hasler, has apologised for not consulting the players on his fashion choices, instead of reminding them that they’re bound by contract to adhere to the team’s values, and the values of the NRL code at large.
The end of the story is this: the NRL stands by their choice to support Pride. The seven players were permitted to sit out the game, and the world continued to spin around like Kylie Minogue. But it’s interesting how this incident became such a talking point for the heterosexuals (not really for The Gays because they’re all in Europe) both in and outside of the NRL community. That’s why editor-in-chief of Men’s Health magazine, Scott Henderson, and former Rooster’s player and current LGBTQIA+ advocate, Casey Conway, and I worked together on this piece – to show why all this drama is actually super gay.
Relax boys, it’s just an outfit.
The NRL has been promoting inclusion for literally years. They’ve participated in six Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras parades, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to NRL players, fans and sponsors that Rugby League has positioned itself as supportive of the LGBTQ community. They’re part of the Pride In Sport Program administered by ACON that tracks and measures the inclusion of LGBTQ people across all levels of the game, and the biggest gag; this particular match is the Gotcha4Life Cup, a charity whose goal is to promote positive mental health outcomes and reach zero suicide, an issue that is rife among LGBTQ+ men. So… it really is just about the outfit.
Pulling focus is extra-emely gay.
We love being the centre of attention, which is why it’s super gay that these players have taken the spotlight away from an incredibly brave move by the club that should be celebrated and embraced. 7 out of 13 players boycott the game, which is more than 50% of the team where, statistically, there is most likely a closeted player on the team, if not on the run-on side, then on the bench or as part of the staff. Whilst playing in a Pride game doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in favour of The Gays, boycotting a game with that goal is a clear signal you’re against it. So, have some conviction and just admit that you’re a homophobe. Gays are proud of who they are, and “No” voters should be too.
Equality everywhere, all at once.
If you’re thinking that the NRL should support the rights of the Christians as much as the gays – you’re absolutely right. That’s why they’ve respected the players decision not to play. It’s also why the NRL holds In League In Harmony (ILIH) rounds aimed to promote social cohesion by addressing issues such as social disengagement, racism, gender inequality and bullying, and why players are permitted to have post-game prayer circles, freely and safely.
We think that the code’s decision to hold a Pride match shouldn’t be seen as one isolated move towards inclusiveness, rather, just another example of how they want to be respectful of all people.
This is a choice. And a really good one at that.
Sport has always been at the forefront of addressing human rights issues, think Cathy Freeman, Billy-Jean King, Muhammad Ali, Megan Rapinoe and more recently Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Colin Kaepernick with the Black Lives Matter movement. And like any company, the NRL doesn’t need to show support for anyone – they are choosing to. They’ve made it a part of the code, which is something the NRL community should be proud of, and something the The GaysTM should be really stoked about.
We hope this whole fiasco leads to the implementation of a Pride Round where we can not only celebrate LGBTQ inclusion, but address homophobia and transphobia and provide education to those that don’t see the significance of such an event.
References:
Hill, A. O., Lyons, A., Jones, J., McGowan, I., Carman, M., Parsons, M., Power, J., & Bourne, A. (2021). Writing themselves in 4: The health and wellbeing of LGBTQA+ young people in Australia. National report, monograph series number 124. Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health. and Society, La Trobe University