Why has this sport never had an openly gay player? | Four Corners

Australian rules football at the elite level is the only major sporting code in the world that hasn’t had a single male player, present or even past, publicly identify as gay.
Four Corners investigates what is being done to change the toxic culture of the sport.
00:00: Intro: AFL and hypermasculinity
7:40: Homophobia in the media
8:20: Banned for having HIV
18:45: The controversial article
24:30: Supporting the community
26:43: Homophobic language in sport
32:49: Culture of silence
36:05: Inclusivity in AFLW
39:00: ‘I thought football would kill me’
This Four Corners documentary was originally broadcast as 'The Silence' on August 21, 2023, on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Read more about the story here: ab.co/3RuoYrd
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Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.

[@RARDingo]

This was superb! Thank you ABC. As someone that grew up in the 70's with openly gay relatives, I could never understand why gay slurs were considered part of the culture of male dominated groups. However, I even publicly participated at times to fit in. During my Army career I had a roomate that was firmly in the closet. Watching his pain & confusion was both enlightening & disturbing. I tried to broach the subject with him, but he was firmly in denial & became extremely scared. Several years after concluding my military service I ran into him to find a very changed man. He had come out & it was like seeing someone that had been released from lifelong imprisonment. He was happier, healthier & just a better person all around. So many have been destroyed by homophobia, many just by the desire of others to fit in.

[@Jay_Wolfe]

I felt more comfortable being openly gay in the Australian Army, than I did playing even local football.

[@phantomstrider]

Respects for all the supportive kind comments.

[@Repomidnight]

I think, when the first gay player comes out, a dozen will follow within months.

[@DavidSchilter]

It's about time the culture (or lack thereof) in AFL is cleaned up. Sadly for now, gay players will have to summon huge heroism to come out and fully express themselves. Hope this changes soon! Also kudos to Bob Murphy for 'coming out' and admitting to his regrettable homophobic comments. This also takes great courage. If only the AFL as a whole had the same courage and willingness to change. We can only call ourselves the Lucky Country if each and every one of our communities feels that way.

[@smartoperator7716]

This has been a huge thorn in my love for AFL, thanks 4 Corners for bringing light to this conversation.

[@weskitten]

Glad to see this on youtube, I missed it on tv as I no longer own a television.

[@terrythekittieful]

Maybe it's a lot easier to not come out of the closet for fear of copping homophobic comments from the other side of the fence. Racist slurs at games still continue, albeit from a minority of deadbeats, so homophobic slurs would be a real possibilty. The first player to admit he was gay would be super brave. All the same, he would have support from 90+% of supporters. The other -10% have no hope of helping themselves.

[@charliel07]

Maybe some players just don't want to be defined by their sexuality 🤷‍♀️

[@freeman61]

Powerful, meaningful, insightful, once again ABC Four Corners you have given us the best of the best reporting on such an important issue.

[@adymatt334]

This is a very powerful story and I appreciate you so much for bringing this to light. Australian culture in general has a very long way to go in its fight against homophobia and racism. I feel crushed by it everyday and feel I simply just can’t be myself.

[@jord.an6123]

Really well made piece. Some of that was heartbreaking

[@MrBigbangbuzz]

If I was gay and played professional sport , I’d be worried about being targeted by some elements of the crowd and even some media

[@gegemec]

Gripping viewing, thanks so much for tackling this issue. What is highlighted is the homophobia in our general society, not just in the AFL. Further, homophobia against male homosexuals has always been more of an issue that against female homosexuals. Tackling this is much more confronting for men than it is for women.

[@tonysambar]

I don't need to know anything about the sex lives of players. I just want to watch football.

[@felixscarlett1542]

With over 800 players across 18 teams, I am almost certain that at least one player is gay and they have come out to their teammates but not publicly due to two reasons: 1. It will forever be associated with his career, no matter how good he is or his career achievements. 2. Sexuality is a personal issue that is no one else's business and should remain private.

[@shannonpincombe8485]

I understand that there is homophobia at many levels of society. Those who behave poorly against those who are different are cowards. Live and let live. Everyone has a right to play our great football code. We may be missing out on the next Buddy Franklin or Plugger Lockett if we don't accept every talented individual who loves our game. Carn the HAWKS!!

[@melsmithmel]

Australia's cultural norms are still quite problematic and sadly it extends into sport. Just like racism, homophobic slurs are deeply ingrained in our society. I hope with The Matilda's winning , there is a huge shift away from this boy's club macho AFL culture. Brilliant interviews.

[@MrBeachie111]

had tears rolling down my face when bob murphy spoke at the end >>. what a n amazing man !! and Im collingwood

[@ga1e0john35]

Who even cares if anybody is gay. It’s unrelated to footy and irrelevant, no pride round is needed. I don’t condone homophobic behaviour or abuse at all. What has sexual preference got to do with your job or choice of sport at all and watch this blow up in the media as a huge story and single people out in the spotlight even more. We watch footy to watch footy and that’s it.

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

As a North American and a recent convert to Aussie Rules and AFL although it is true that the AFL does lag behind other leagues in not having an openly queer player (past or present) seeing the open displays of LGBTQ+ flags, banners, signs and gear prominently within the cheer squads and supporters sections is something that you don't really see anywhere else and is something to be commended especially in light of leagues like the National Hockey League here at home reversing their stance on teams wearing pride jerseys in their pre-game warmups.

[@andrewhobbs2727]

I was a gay player in the late 80s and left because of this issue . lets have hope for the new generation . great reporting ,

[@heidiwooller4071]

Extraordinary. Thank you for highlighting this.

[@CaptainQuoll]

I stand up when people say any discrimination casual or not( when playing footy ) footy culture is beautiful but there are always holes sadly let’s patch those holes up. I get discriminated for being neurodivergent ( autism , adhd ) it’s hard to keep going but progress does lots

[@benbutler9282]

bless Bob Murphy

[@paulmatters2641]

Outstanding program. From a South Melbourne/Sydney Swans supporter. Thankyou.

[@whataboutsarah1]

Thank you Louise for a very powerful story. So sad to see how backwards AFL culture is, when it comes to LGBTQIA+ players

[@StevieCooper]

I walked past Marvel Stadium on my way to meet family about a month ago and coped some homophobia from some 16yo boys. I was gobsmacked that it was coming from that age group. I was meeting family after the match because I wouldn’t have felt safe attending the match..

[@EmEm872]

Wow, I had tears running down my face by the end. Lets hope men will one day feel safe enough to say that they are gay and play afl. 🏳️‍🌈

[@LSgrimm91]

It's fascinating how well the AFLW treats and welcome queer players. So close, yet so widely different. I have never cared for Eddie Macquire, but this make me like him a little bit.

[@peterking7165]

Maybe people want to keep there personal life personal.

[@beelzebubbla]

Great report! I hope that change comes quickly.

[@tessabiggs2917]

Can we just play footy?

[@brucenz4816]

So, so important. Thank you.

[@tinkat2208]

That was so powerful and I truly appreciate you bringing this to light. I didn't know that there was not a single gay player that has come out in AFL. Truly sad. Embrace all with peace and love ❤️

[@antonmarcus5806]

Why does it matter?

[@subzerostorm]

Who cares if someone is gay or not??? It's no ones business but the person and who they wish to share that with. Why do we have to bring this into the work place, including the AFL. Get over yourself ABC.

[@joshuagiuliani3619]

Powerful piece

[@davidfenton6014]

Women always lead the way

[@davidpearn4344]

Does it actually really matter

[@sod371981]

I love this type of content 👍👍👍

[@bernadettemarietavendale7055]

I'm so mad that a sport I've followed all my life is acting in this way

[@Katherine-wx1kh]

Wow!!

[@timtalk6285]

Wow the culture of AFL resembles the culture of the NFL here in the US .

[@gunskill100]

That was a very powerful story.

[@shitzuation]

Wonderful story!! ❤

[@fartexplosion4480]

No player should ever come out alone. They need to come out as a group