The Crows have backed the AFL’s pledge to promote efforts to eliminate discrimination based on homophobia for anyone wanting to be involved in sport as either a player, official or volunteer.
On Wednesday, AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou joined the heads of Australia’s professional sporting bodies in reaffirming a collective commitment to promoting an inclusive environment in which sports men and women, regardless of their sexuality, are welcome.
“The AFL embraces inclusion and diversity within our game and today’s launch is another important step in the journey towards a level playing field for all people who simply aspire to compete or be involved in their chosen sport,” Mr Demetriou said.
“The AFL does not tolerate discrimination in any form and I’m proud of our track record in both responding to issues and also proactively ensuring safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for all people involved in Australian Football.”
Adelaide defender Daniel Talia said the Club would embrace any player regardless of sexual preference.
“It’s part of society and everyone should accept it. If someone came out and said that they were gay I think everyone at the Club would be right behind that person,” he said.
“It (homosexuality) is not even an issue for myself or the Club."
Mr Demetriou said the AFL was already delivering on the key elements of the Framework but acknowledged there was always room to further enhance the code’s efforts to ensure that homophobia is not tolerated at any level of the game.
“One of the AFL’s most tangible actions in addressing homophobia came five years ago when we expanded an existing rule relating to on-field racial and religious vilification to also prohibit vilification on the basis of sexual identity.
“Discrimination is never acceptable and vilification based on sexual identity is just as serious an offence as vilification based on gender, race, religion, colour or special disability.”
The AFL Vilification Policy is aimed at both prevention and the building of capacity within the industry to recognise, respond to and provide support to anyone affected by vilification and discrimination.
In recent times the AFL has been pleased to lend its support to the No To Homophobia campaign as part of an overall commitment to social inclusion as well as partnering with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to develop the code’s policy position.
