Club Statement

[Remi Moses]

Re: Club Statement

Yeah feeling thefurore all the way over here in Thailand(holidaying with family)Really what much ado about nothing I mean does anyone think that a player outing himself is not going to face Ridicule is living in one diluded existance.BTW Scott and his fellow thug twin hate Akermanis I vividly recall him or his brother publicly stating on a news service before we played them in 2007 hoping The Lion players give him one and he leaves the field in pain Real charmers those two

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Club Statement

[QUOTE=BornABulldog;153783]I think someone will one day have the guts to stand up and say, “I'm gay, and I couldn't give two shits about what you think of it.” and then have the courage to see it out. Nicky Winmar…


Actually, I read that Nicky Winmar was actually trying to say to the crowd " I have guts" when he pointed to his guts in the famous photo. It was the media that turned it into a racial thing.

I love Acker, and while I disagree with his opinion in this case ( Most footballers are able to switch off as they are so professional now ) I like the way he says what he thinks and could not care less. Actually, this week I hope he has a blinder

[Raw Toast]

Re: Club Statement

Actually, I read that Nicky Winmar was actually trying to say to the crowd " I have guts" when he pointed to his guts in the famous photo. It was the media that turned it into a racial thing.

A colleague and I interviewed the two photographers who took the picture (one of whom was close enough to hear what Winmar was saying) and we wrote a piece on the history of this image and the debates it inspired - suffice to say it's pretty clear now that he said something along the lines of, "I'm black and I'm proud of it" (this is Winmar's recollection of it as well)...

bwt I hope Aker has a blinder as well - Scott's trying to stir the pot and I hope it backfires.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Club Statement

Issue re-visited on Before The Game. I thought the female host's head was about to blow up. Clearly she didn't "get" that Aker was simply telling it as it currently is: an openly gay AFL player would face enormous challenges that would probably affect his football, many of his team mates and the club as a whole with the media and public attention that it would generate. Whether thats "right' or "wrong" is a different matter, Aker's saying it just "is".

IMO, why does any homosexual have to, in fact, "come out"? Why does their have to be some formal public anouncement about this? Is this some sort rite of passage, like getting baptised? Or, as I believe, is it more about trying to shock the conservative wider community? I'm heterosexual, I've never gone out of my way to make some sort of formal anouncement about this, and I don't know anyone else who has. I would have thought that not being treated as different is what the gay movement was all about, so why make a "fuss"about it? For me its( the whole palava of "coming out") is getting quite, frankly, boring.

[mjp]

Re: Club Statement

Actually, I read that Nicky Winmar was actually trying to say to the crowd " I have guts" when he pointed to his guts in the famous photo. It was the media that turned it into a racial thing.

Nope. It was his pride in being aboriginal. He has spoken about this a few times over the years.

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Club Statement

I thought the female host's head was about to blow up.

Her name is Sam Lane.

I'm heterosexual, I've never gone out of my way to make some sort of formal anouncement about this, and I don't know anyone else who has.

The reason that, as a heterosexual, you've never had to make a formal announcement of your sexual preference is that our society assumes that everyone is straight unless informed otherwise. Some people choose to keep their preferences private; others are uncomfortable with this and feel that they are forced to pretend that they are someone they are not. "Coming out" is not compulsory, but for many gay people it is an important and significant rite of passage - and sometimes a relief.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Club Statement

Given the extreme sensitivity of this issue I am really disappointed that this article was not carefully vetted by the club. The topic could still have been covered, and I don't have a problem with Aker's personal view about it being unnecessary for a player to come out, but in a very confused line of argument, it just wasn't clear why. Too much pressure on the individual? Nobody's business? these are fair enough, but then cringe-worthy lines like 'could break the fabric of the club'.
.

These were not Aker's words but were added to the article by the Herald Sun after the Club had vetted the article and Aker signed off on it.

[LostDoggy]

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..

My congratulations on your courage and honesty on this forum B-Rad and it seems to have worked out for you ref. your teamates