Last year Jason Akermanis warned gay players in the AFL to remain in the closet, saying an openly gay player could "break the fabric of a club.”
That’s absolute bullshit. It really underestimates the intelligence and understanding of people. I am still involved with footy – at arm’s length. I’m still involved with Souths [rugby league] club and in the 20 years since I played with the Rabbitohs I’ve never felt any serious sense of homophobia. That’s rugby league – and I can’t believe the AFL would be much different. The younger AFL players today would be more tolerant than when I was on the field. Break the fabric of a club? He can’t be serious. Who does Akermanis think he is talking to?
Akermanis brought up the issue of players being uncomfortable in the showers and locker rooms with a gay teammate.
(Laughing.) Don’t flatter youself, Aker! That’s all in your own head, man. It was well known in rugby league circles I was gay, long before I came out. Most of my teammates knew I was gay as far back as when I was playing with Souths. The whole locker room thing wasn’t a problem, and nobody behaved any differently to me than any other player. Gareth Thomas [former Wales rugby captain, who came out last year] described how accepting all his teammates were towards him. Not one had a problem with his being gay. And they didn’t start treating him differently once they knew. Every gay sports person should get up and say something if this kind of stupidity is ever raised again. It’s offensive.
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