Growing up in an immigrant family that was heavily influenced by Pentecostalism, it was very (and still is) hard to champion my sexuality and individuality without feeling some form of fear or shame.
Gender stereotypes ran rampant in the roles of my home, certain mannerisms would automatically be called out as “too gay” or “too tomboy”, and ofc I was smacked with the lesbian allegations when I went through a ‘yuge sports phase.
And with that phase — which obviously wasn’t a phase, ‘cos hello, have you seen the Matildas and NRL content? — I would often find solace in sporting and athletic spaces, which added to my journey of self-exploration. But it wasn’t until I feasted my eyes on the AFLW that I felt true acceptance and visibility.
Returning for its fifth run on the Aussie sporting stage, the AFLW will be bringing its Pride Round this week — from October 8 to October 13 — to champion diversity and inclusivity, not only in sport but within the community.
Punters, and those looking for a safe space, can expect to see some good ol’ Aussie footy played by wavemakers in the women’s sporting world. It’s also the perfect opportunity to celebrate your identity and for allies to show their support for the fellow LGBTQIA+ community.
Reflecting ahead of her Pride Round match, Richmond FC’s Libby Graham stressed how it’s a “huge privilege” to be part of the AFLW Pride Round and wave the flag for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I think AFLW is known for sort of being a leader in this space. So we’re just standing on the shoulders of the people that have come before us,” the key defender told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
“We wouldn’t be where we’re at in AFLW if it weren’t for queer women and people. So it’s just a massive privilege to be able to, I guess, recognise that history and then be able to add to the narrative ourselves.”
Fellow teammate Rebecca ‘Bec’ Miller added that the AFLW comp wouldn’t be anything without the queer community and that the Pride Round is sort of a way to not only highlight diversity and inclusivity but also pay homage to those before us.
“The queer community, they sort of created [the] AFLW before it was cool, essentially, like the worst fields,” she began.
“They had the old men jumpers, they had the worst facilities, and they still just played the game for the love of it. Before we’re even getting paid.
“It’s pretty important to recognise that history, I guess, as Libby mentioned, but then to celebrate it with a pretty big round, which has become a tradition.”
Of course with the AFLW Pride Round being the AFLW Pride Round, the comp has pulled out all the stops to represent and champion all things tied to the LGBTQIA+ community. This includes a rainbow on the famous Sherrin and the NAB adopting a rainbow on its logo. But what fans look forward to the most is the Pride-designed guernsey which is worn by players on the pitch.
Melbourne FC’s Eden Zanker highlighted the 24 words placed on her club’s pride guernsey which “were captured by players, coaches and staff following an education session with Minus 18.”
“Those words are words that represent the club in terms of, you know, our journey towards that inclusiveness and yeah, the responsibility to us providing that safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community,” Eden shared.
But why is the AFLW Pride Round so important?
Well, reflecting back to the top of this chunky article, growing up in a restrictive household, it was hard to relate to nor find the support I needed to embark on my journey. As well as understand what I was going through.
However, with the AFLW Pride Round, it gives an opportunity for folks to have someone to look up to and find that support where they need it.
For Richmond’s Libby, the key defender touched on how the AFLW Pride Round is the perfect opportunity to bring the LGBTQIA+ crowd to the forefront of not just the sporting world but throughout the whole community as well.
“Visibility and representation are massive,” Libby stressed.
“When we were younger, it would have been incredible just to have that as the norm. And I think that’s what we’re creating now, that’s what it means to me, is that people don’t have to go searching for visibility.”
Bec added that she loved how the AFLW Pride Round is the perfect opportunity for people to share their stories and their experiences, which absolutely feeds into the need for visibility and representation.
“People that [have] never seen or been a part of this community, they’re hearing a story of what it means to be queer, and I guess some of the struggles and challenges people face in that journey, which is represented on our jumper,” Bec shared, referring to the design of Richmond FC’s Pride guernsey.
As for the Demons’ Eden, the forward also hoped spectators could get educated from the stories and languages used during the Pride Round, and stressed how education is detrimental to growing spaces that are accepting and diverse.
If you can’t make it to the W IRL, keen punters can catch the AFLW Pride Round on the Seven Network, 7plus, Foxtel and Kayo. Folks can also nab tickets right here.
The post The AFLW Pride Round Kicked Off This Week & Here’s Why You Should Be Giving It Your Attention appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
