Comments on: PFLAG challenge Brisbane Roar “inaction” on homophobia

By: Jake Smith

Jake Smith — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 02:25:34 +0000

I must admit to being conflicted on this article; I agree we need to get this topic on organisations agenda like the Brisbane Roar and more importantly then to then get meaningful action. But then I’m conflicted by the overall tone and approach taken here – I look at the Roar and like Al see a club that’s done a lot for race, gender, and aboriginal players in the past so assume they are more forward thinking and open than perhaps this article suggests. So is the right approach to berate this club because they don’t (appear) to do exactly as we want, when we want in regards to our agenda? Are we likely to move forward with warmth and support with organisations like this with such an approach and are they going to be open and genuinely listen and engaged on this topic or will they fear the negative, almost bullying response portrayed here and so avoid it altogether? We need a sympathetic and supporting ear to help us change attitudes and behaviours and it sounds like the Roar and other clubs are moving in the right direction albeit not at a speed to everyone’s liking?

By: Al

Al — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:02:35 +0000

Well said John McCormach, there’s always more that can be done and of course we shouldn’t be complacent; Roar supporters are generally good to excellent in my experience and I hope if continues with growth. I too am a regular game-day fan and I haven’t heard any homophobic comments at a game, not even in “jest”, so as I say no room for complacency but at the same time Roar have done an excellent job over 10 years fostering a family-friendly environment which Ms. Argent fails go a knowledge and, if she repeats the tone and attitude reflected in this article in her attempted dealings with the club, she shouldn’t be surprised if suddenly people are “unavailable”

By: Linda Walsh

Linda Walsh — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:36:13 +0000

Well said hope she takes up the challenge

By: Teegan Walsh

Teegan Walsh — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:37:03 +0000

In reply to John McCormack. couldn't say it any better!

By: Kelly Lefroy

Kelly Lefroy — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:36:10 +0000

Well said John McCormack. Actions speak louder than words in a code of conduct.

By: John McCormack

John McCormack — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:30:33 +0000

Hello,
My name is John, I am
a member of Brisbane Roar FC, I have only missed one home game since we started
life in the A-League in 2005 (well, whilst I was not overseas travelling) and I
am a very passionate supporter of the club. I travel to away games often including Tokyo, South Korea,
China and the backblocks of Thailand. I also happen to be openly gay.
In nine and a half
seasons I have only witnessed one example of homophobia. A former player of ours scored against
us at home and some folks started a chant featuring the six-letter ‘F’
word. I was very upset about the
goal but this really pissed me off. The astounding part was the reaction from the people around me.
The chant was drowned
out in seconds by my fellow supporters who objected to the use of it and it
stopped. The next day in various
online forums it was made very clear to all and sundry that any display of
homophobia is simply unacceptable. I have never been so proud to call these people my friends.
You see, this is the
great thing about our code. It is
the supporters that provide the atmosphere. There is so much that is in our hands that we as a group
tackle the issues. The club does
not have to do much but support us in these endeavours which they have done so.
I’ve lost count with
the amount of times I’ve had people say to me privately that they hadn’t had
anything to do with gay people before and now we’re all good because I proved
to them that I was a decent person. I am a firm believer that this is a much better tool to tackling
homophobia than any Code of Conduct will ever achieve.
I agree with Shelley
Argent that the Football Federation of Australia need to amend the Spectator
Code of Conduct to include ‘sexuality’ under clause (c).

I must also state that
I think rules made behind closed doors and enforced on everyone else is
counterproductive. People are a
little weary of over-regulation and all it creates is resentment. However this is my opinion.
Lastly, I would like
to issue Shelley Argent an invitation to join me at a Brisbane Roar FC home
game of her choice. She will get
to witness first hand how we deal with things. Not just accepting of the LGBTI community but other sectors
of the community namely ethnic groups, refugees, indigenous people and
women. We deal with homophobia and
it upset me to see people claim otherwise.
Yours sincerely,
John McCormack

By: John McCormack

John McCormack — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:58:24 +0000

Hello,

My name is John, I am a member of Brisbane Roar FC, I have only missed one home game since we started life in the A-League in 2005 (well, whilst I was not overseas travelling) and I am a very passionate supporter of the club. I travel to away games often including Tokyo, South Korea, China and the backblocks of Thailand. I also happen to be openly gay.

In nine and a half seasons I have only witnessed one example of homophobia. A former player of ours scored against us at home and some folks started a chant featuring the six-letter ‘F’ word. I was very upset about the goal but this really pissed me off. The astounding part was the reaction from the people around me.

The chant was drowned out in seconds by my fellow supporters who objected to the use of it and it stopped. The next day in various online forums it was made very clear to all and sundry that any display of homophobia is simply unacceptable. I have never been so proud to call these people my friends.

You see, this is the great thing about our code. It is the supporters that provide the atmosphere. There is so much that is in our hands that we as a group tackle the issues. The club does not have to do much but support us in these endeavours which they have done so.

I’ve lost count with the amount of times I’ve had people say to me privately that they hadn’t had anything to do with gay people before and now we’re all good because I proved to them that I was a decent person. I am a firm believer that this is a much better tool to tackling homophobia than any Code of Conduct will ever achieve.

I agree with Shelley Argent that the Football Federation of Australia need to amend the Spectator Code of Conduct to include ‘sexuality’ under clause (c).

I must also state that I think rules made behind closed doors and enforced on everyone else is counterproductive. People are a little weary of over-regulation and all it creates is resentment. However this is my opinion.

Lastly, I would like to issue Shelley Argent an invitation to join me at a Brisbane Roar FC home game of her choice. She will get to witness first hand how we deal with things. Not just accepting of the LGBTI community but other sectors of the community namely ethnic groups, refugees, indigenous people and women. We deal with homophobia and it upset me to see people claim otherwise.

Yours sincerely,
John McCormack