Club Statement

[LostDoggy]

Re: Club Statement

Typical Aker article, creating a media sh1tstorm like TCD mentioned..

It's ridiculous how Facebook-related groups come out so quickly these days, just saw one with 100 members strong already: 'I would rather have a shower with 20 gay footy players than with Akermanis'

And Lets hope he comes out on Saturday and has a brilliant game

[LostDoggy]

Re: Club Statement

I wonder why the club hasn't been vetting his articles before they hit the news stands?
It all sounds like a late attempt to distance themselves from the article when clearly Aker should have warned the club that what he wanted printed was likely to cause some headlines.

It certainly doesn't appear that Akermanis extended the club the courtesy of a heads up.

I thought all his articles were supposed to be run past the club? because of last year.

[chef]

Re: Club Statement

I thought all his articles were supposed to be run past the club? because of last year.

IMO the headline(which is out of Akers control) was the problem. Most people had already formed their opinions about the article before they had even read it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Club Statement

Good on ya B-Rad for your honesty. However, whilst I agree that nobody should be discriminated against, how the world 'should be' and how it is are two different things.

With respect, I disagree with your reading of Aker's comments. You said that "if a gay AFL player wants to come out of the closet, just let them." That's great, but I don't think Aker said that gay players should be prevented from coming out. That would be discrimination if it occurred. All I read him as saying was that, from his personal perspective, it would be difficult for a person to come out in the AFL environment because of prejudices that, sadly, still exist. (And which may be more concentrated in a professional sporting environment, where physicality is a person's livelihood).

In any case, a person has to suggest that someone is inferior or unworthy in order to be racist, sexist, homophobic etc. Raising a controversial issue doesn't in itself make that suggestion.

What I really don't understand is Aker has written an extremely similar column like this a few years back, including his story about playing in the 2's at Mayne.
He knows this is an extremely thin line to walk on, so why did he risk it AGAIN!? It wasn't very necessary IMO.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Club Statement

In a tea cup perhaps.

I don't think Aker said anything. A player coming out will put pressure on himself. Hardly ground breaking stuff.

I agree. Aker never suggested that people should not come out per say. Just that as an AFL footballer, it might still be unwise to do so.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Club Statement

Ok, now I may be outing myself a tiny little bit here..
But i myself am a homesexual, and do indeed play footy.
My teammates have nothing against it, and don't treat me any differently, or expect me to act any differently.
In-fact, they have nothing against me, and support me in every way possible, just like on the footy field.
I have to disagree with Aker on this occasion and say that if a gay AFL player wants to come out of the closet, just let them! It's their own choice, and they shouldnt be discriminated against..

Good on you. It's why societies like ours succeed while others, which repress homosexuals falter ( Asia, Middle east, most of the world! ). You guys are a part of our community and it is our interest to see you thrive, enjoy life as everyone is equal.
People will call you stuff even if you are NOT gay. James Hird copped that for years. What's the Dif? I hope Aker wanders on to woof and reads your post.

[Bornadog]

Re: Club Statement

Read post number 2. Aker didn't just decide he was going to write this up, its not an original idea.

Also have a look at the footballers on this site supporting Gays in Sport.

http://www.thisisoz.com.au/

and also

http://stophomophobiatoday.com/2010-photos/

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Club Statement

On the 7pm project they mentioned that Aker was approached to write the article (I think they said by the Players Association?). Without Akers article generating a bit of debate and buying some media space the other efforts by the organisations involved would not have anywhere near the support or coverage. So some are castrating him, but perhaps he has taken one for the team a little and done a fairly noble act? Yes it would also benefit him.

Reading the article and listening to him speak on it all I don't think he has done a lot wrong. He has basically said that it would be good to see a time when players could come out but in his opinion the level of homophobia (probably in clubs but certainly also in the general population) is such that he wouldn't recommend it now.

I have to say that in this regard (for the average player) I would have to agree with him. Being that it is a highly personal issue it would take a very mentally strong player to be able to come out and not let the resultant media circus put them off their game a bit. As mentioned we would need an established senior player, who would be less likely to be affected, to pave the way.

[Raw Toast]

Re: Club Statement

Reading the article and listening to him speak on it all I don't think he has done a lot wrong. He has basically said that it would be good to see a time when players could come out but in his opinion the level of homophobia (probably in clubs but certainly also in the general population) is such that he wouldn't recommend it now.

I've loved having Aker at the club but I have to say I think he deserves some condemnation for this. His article in the HUN showcased his own homophobia along with noting that footy is still a pretty homophobic place.

I don't think we need to hear from Akermanis that he would be uncomfortable showering with a gay player, or that he wouldn't want to be tapped on the bum by them. What's gained from broadcasting his own issues with this? And it was his own discomfort that Aker's subsequent radio and tv soundbites focussed on.

The study released today showed that there a very significant number of same-sex attracted men (and women but that is a bit of a different issue) would like to play footy but don't because of how homophobic the culture is. This is what the AFL Players Association is now campaigning against, and as Akermanis himself noted, there's more at stake than just sport. Same-sex attracted youth in particular are at much greater risk of self-harm and the homophobia associated with sport is one of the key things that makes many of them feel bad about themselves.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Club Statement

Coming out is not hell, it's being honest to oneself and teammates

Ian Roberts - The Age - 21 May

WHAT was Jason Akermanis thinking? The thing that frustrates me about his comments regarding gays is what he says is of no benefit to anyone. His opinion - on something he knows nothing about - is a waste of time.

I don't know what motivated him to say what he said. Maybe he is just plain stupid, or perhaps he was just making a grab at some more notoriety for himself. He's coming up to retirement, he's got a regular gig on radio, so he may just be looking at getting more gigs for the future.

Article in full...

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Club Statement

Coming out is not hell, it's being honest to oneself and teammates

Ian Roberts - The Age - 21 May

WHAT was Jason Akermanis thinking? The thing that frustrates me about his comments regarding gays is what he says is of no benefit to anyone. His opinion - on something he knows nothing about - is a waste of time.

I don't know what motivated him to say what he said. Maybe he is just plain stupid, or perhaps he was just making a grab at some more notoriety for himself. He's coming up to retirement, he's got a regular gig on radio, so he may just be looking at getting more gigs for the future.

Article in full...

Typically insincere media beat up crap. This guy is just generating print space using mock indignation.

[Mofra]

Re: Club Statement

Typically insincere media beat up crap. This guy is just generating print space using mock indignation.

Absolute Bull.

He came out as a League player in the 80s, and incredibly brave thing to do.
His opinion is probably more sincere and more accurate than any other column we are likely to see on the issue.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Club Statement

Absolute Bull.

He came out as a League player in the 80s, and incredibly brave thing to do.
His opinion is probably more sincere and more accurate than any other column we are likely to see on the issue.

I'm with DroopSt on this.

A NSW minister resigned yesterday after being caught going into a gay club.

Sure he was married, but what politian resigns for infidelity? Gay ones, apparently.


Ian Roberts can carry on all he likes about how he would like the world to be, but political parties deal in the reality of the ballot box and David Cameron resigned because too many people still don't accept gays.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Club Statement

I'm with DroopSt on this.

A NSW minister resigned yesterday after being caught going into a gay club.

Sure he was married, but what politian resigns for infidelity? Gay ones, apparently.


Ian Roberts can carry on all he likes about how he would like the world to be, but political parties deal in the reality of the ballot box and David Cameron resigned because too many people still don't accept gays.

He campaigned on a platform of family values - if he was busted with a woman prostitiute, I'm sure the end result would be the same.

Not that you don't have a point re: acceptance - he may have tried to ride it out if say for example he was caught having an affair with a woman colleague. Who knows

[LostDoggy]

Re: Club Statement

I've loved having Aker at the club but I have to say I think he deserves some condemnation for this. His article in the HUN showcased his own homophobia along with noting that footy is still a pretty homophobic place.

I don't think we need to hear from Akermanis that he would be uncomfortable showering with a gay player, or that he wouldn't want to be tapped on the bum by them. What's gained from broadcasting his own issues with this? And it was his own discomfort that Aker's subsequent radio and tv soundbites focussed on.

The study released today showed that there a very significant number of same-sex attracted men (and women but that is a bit of a different issue) would like to play footy but don't because of how homophobic the culture is. This is what the AFL Players Association is now campaigning against, and as Akermanis himself noted, there's more at stake than just sport. Same-sex attracted youth in particular are at much greater risk of self-harm and the homophobia associated with sport is one of the key things that makes many of them feel bad about themselves.

I'm sorry, but this is just wrong. Aker is not to be condemned for talking about being uncomfortable in the shower — I'll explain why I think that: He went on to say he wishes he'd have addressed it differently, sat down with the guy and tried to understand. Unfortunately, politically-correct media hounds have jumped on this classic quote of “homophobia” and rammed it down his throat. It is FACT! Young men, who are not as educated as they should be on gay issues, DO feel uncomfortable. Aker's point was that they shouldn't, but they will continue to be for some time yet as the education and tolerance levels are not where they should be. At no point in the entire article did he ever say that the current level of tolerance (or lack thereof) in the AFL was suitable or acceptable, and he goes on to say he hopes they rectify it soon. So that a gay player CAN shower naked with his teammates without it causing the fuss it would now.

I'm a bloke. Still a fairly young one (I'm only 27). I remember the first time I got invited to a gay club (ARQ I think it was) in Oxford Street in Sydney, I didn't know how to act, what to do, what to say. I wasn't myself at all really. I wore a Cradle Of Filth shirt and torn jeans, and would've screamed “Scared-stiff-hetero” to every bloke in there. I just didn't know, I wasn't used to that environment and it was all very new to me, and yes, I was homophobic. It took some time, and getting to know gay and lesbian men and women better, to correct my attitude towards it. Now, I would have no problem standing naked next to a gay man.

I think this is what Aker is trying to achieve. He acknowledges it's wrong, and wants something done about it so the AFL can get to that place it needs to be. He doesn't want PR-friendly media statements that are all warm and fuzzy with no substance, he wants solid foundations laid at club level.