Wallabies support Sydney Convicts

The Wallabies have shown their heads are in the right place in making positive steps toward eliminating homophobia in sport. Captain Stirling Mortlock, Al Baxter, David Pocock and Stephen Moore got together and were photographed with a number of provocative placards. Check out the flickr slideshow here.

Some of the slogans included:

• “All rugby players are boofheads? All gay men are weaklings? Reject stereotypes, accept people.”
• “It’s not who you are, it’s how you play the game.”
• “We support diversity in sport.”
• “Everyone deserves a sporting chance. Stand up against homophobia.”

The rugby league Footy Show, known for its homoerotic skits and homophobic fervour, spat out a hideous PR exercise that somewhat backfired a few weeks ago. The producers got two of the Sydney Convicts on the show to talk about the club and gay men in sport, but the awkwardness shown by the host Fatty Vautin was unmistakable, and no doubt the show will continue to propagate the same stereotypes in the future. I really like the footy show - there’s some really smart football minds on there - but the segments featuring such mindless humour has often got my blood boiling.

Let’s hope this terrific partnership between the Wallabies and Sydney Convicts continues, and closets in dressing rooms across the country can open up.