Out On The Fields

We have prepared a research summary and infographics to support the story airing today by Australia's top investigative news show @4corners @Milliganreports into failures by @AFL to keep a signed commitment in 2014 to "eradicate homophobia." Please share outonthefields.com/AFL

The @AFL supporters groups and @crows_rainbow have launched a petition calling on senior leaders like @tanyahosch to enact many of the measures the AFL commited to enact in 2014 and .... the Australian Government told the AFL to enact in 2000. change.org/p/a-call-for-a…?

Important commentary from @jasonballau about the @AFL ... building on the great story last night by @Milliganreports @abcnews #4Corners @tanyahosch @AnikaWells @PrideCup @proud2playinc theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-…

“Everyone has the right to be who they are, to express that and to be safe doing so. It absolutely is a human rights issue that no male player in the ALF feels safe to come out as gay.” Powerful words from Amnesty International’s Chloe Clark 🙌 #4corners

How brave is Michael O’Donnell? Give him some 🙌.

@VeryInsig @Milliganreports @TheMikeOD The debate isn't 'is there a problem'... the AFL has accepted there is a serious problem and signed a commitment to solve the problem. The discussion now is 'why haven't they don't anything about the problem'

@VeryInsig @Milliganreports @TheMikeOD Thanks for your question. That a large cohort, and consitent data with the other study we shared. This data is also consistent with a range of other studies conducted across multiple sports. Have a look through the Out on the Fields website for links to these many studies.

"I lost 15 years because there was no one ahead of me. If we can have someone come out…, there will be a bunch of young, very talented AFL players who end up in the top level of the game. That'd be a great legacy for someone to leave." @TheMikeOD. abc.net.au/news/2023-08-2…

@GreenyGreen @Milliganreports @j__l__t__f @TheMikeOD Hi G the lack of gay players the symptom of a very deep problem in all sports, but the AFL has done less to find solutions than others. In addition to reading the ABC story, we prepared a research summary that may answer your questions outonthefields.com/AFL

@Milliganreports @j__l__t__f @TheMikeOD The article implies although there are players out in their clubs, because no player is out publicly there’s a problem? AFL have said they would support& I think they proved that with Dani Laidley, so ultimately it’s the players decision to extend the knowledge beyond their club.

@dkjones17 @eeeeeewdavid @Milliganreports @ABCTV Hi Deb the lack of gay players is just the symptom of a very deep problem that is common in all sports, but the AFL has done less to find solutions than others. We prepared an infographic and research summary that you may find useful: outonthefields.com/AFL

@eeeeeewdavid @Milliganreports @ABCTV I wouldn't know & it's not my business to know. All that should concern media is how well they play AFL or whatever sport they choose to play. Do you get demands to state your sexuality to do your job?

I've been so moved by the bravery, decency, honesty of so many people in our next 4 Corners story, The Silence, on why no elite #AFL male player has ever publicly identified as gay. It's a difficult conversation many in #footy now acknowledge must be had. Watch Monday, @abctv.

@LeAntagonist @abcnews Hi Kevin we agree the focus on players coming out/not coming out is a distraction and symptom of the core problem: a toxic and harmful culture that needs to be fixed. The AFL has done less than other sports to address this problem

No professional male AFL player, past or present, has ever publicly come out as gay or bisexual. Insiders say a culture of homophobia lingers. abc.net.au/news/2023-08-2…

@jefftonna1 @abcnews Hi Jeff.. we created an infographic and research summary that helps address your question that may be of interest. outonthefields.com/afl

@abcnews Why should they? It’s none of our business.

@The_FishmanAU @abcnews Hi FishermanAU.... we created an infographic and research summary that helps address your question that may be of interest. outonthefields.com/afl

@abcnews Does it really matter?

@i_hate_dan1 @abcnews Hi Garry ... we created an infographic and research summary that helps address your question that may be of interest. outonthefields.com/afl

@abcnews What’s it got to do with their ABC if a player is gay and doesn’t want to come out?

@AussieLad18 @abcnews Hi AussieLad ... we have created an infographic and research summary that helps address your comments that may be of interest. outonthefields.com/afl

@abcnews Or maybe... they think it's bloody irrelevant, considering they are there to play footy. No one cares if someone is gay. Just live your life. It's when people actively bring attention to it that it just comes across as virtue signalling.

@TZalean @abcnews Hi Jacko glad to hear that you had a postive experience. As this research summary illustrates (and other research on the website), you are the exception not the rule. We are particularly concerned about the harm to children. outonthefields.com/afl

@VeryInsig @abcnews Hello... looks like you have made similar comments and questions on other posts about this story. Hopefully this infographic and the research summary helps to answer your questions. outonthefields.com/afl

@RyanJones6980 @abcnews Hi Ryan we have created an infographic and a research summary that may useful, to answer your question. Let us know if you have any other questions. outonthefields.com/afl

@abcnews Because why would that be any concern of ours ? Sport divides us by the team we support and yet it’s one of the most reliable ways to bring people together. Why would we want it to be about anything other than the sport ?

@Rohanzz6 @abcnews Hi David we have created an infographic and a research summary that may useful, to answer your question. Let us know if you have any other questions. outonthefields.com/AFL