AFL chief govt Gil McLachlan says he is aware of there are gay players within the AFL however they haven’t come out as a result of the pressure of being first is too nice a burden.
Speaking at The West Australian’s Leadership Matters lunch at Crown Ballroom on Monday, McLachlan stated: “The very first thing I’d say is I’m very comfy there are gay male players and I’m very comfy (in saying) they’re identified to their teammates.
“What they’re selecting is to not be the primary particular person.”
McLachlan stated the scenario was completely different for feminine players.
“The feminine cohort (AFLW) got here out without delay, they’d security in numbers, and there was no first,” he stated.
“So the pressure and the load on that particular person being the primary AFL participant who comes out and performs as an out gay man, I believe that weight, frankly I can perceive why they’d select not to have to carry that burden round ceaselessly.
“And I don’t they want to and I believe individuals ought to reside their lives how they need to reside it.”
In different codes, Manly Sea Eagles prop Ian Roberts got here out in 1995, however no NRL participant has accomplished so since.
In the A-League, Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo in 2021 turned the one identified present male top-flight skilled footballer on the planet to come out as gay and stated he knew there have been different players “dwelling in silence”.
“I hope that in sharing who I’m, I can present others who establish as LGBTQ+ that they’re welcome within the soccer neighborhood,” Cavallo stated on the time.
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