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AFL shows its support for same-sex marriage by changing sign at front of league headquarters

UPDATE: THE AFL has came out in support of same-sex marriage by altering the front of league headquarters, as a former Carlton player accuses his ex-club of fence-sitting on the issue.

2 min read
September 20, 2017 - 10:18AM
Gillon McLachlan is a yes man. Picture: Getty Images
Gillon McLachlan is a yes man. Picture: Getty Images

THE AFL has come out in support of same-sex marriage by altering the front of league headquarters, as a former Carlton player accuses his ex-club of fence-sitting on the issue.

Carlton released a statement to its members on Wednesday afternoon reinforcing it’s commitment to equality.

“The issue of ‘same sex marriage’ is essentially one of equality; and so the club encourages all of its people to have their say in this important national vote,” the statement read.

RITA PANAHI: AFL SHOULDN’T MIX POLITICS AND SPORT

The AFL shows its support for same-sex marriage. (Pic: Twitter — @Nat_Edwards)
The AFL shows its support for same-sex marriage. (Pic: Twitter — @Nat_Edwards)

“As a club, we respect that this is about personal choice, and as such don’t intend to campaign on the issue, but we do strongly reinforce our club’s absolute commitment to equality — and a community that is free from any form of discrimination.”

But high-profile Blues fan Andy Maher tweeted his disappointment in Carlton’s response and was quickly backed up by ex-player Michael Jamison, who recently came out in support of his gay twin brother, Will.

SACRIFICE: CARLTON DEFENDER’S SUPPORT FOR GAY BROTHER

SACRIFICE: CARLTON DEFENDER’S SUPPORT FOR GAY BROTHER

Carlton joins clubs St Kilda, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, and the AFL, in publicly voicing their views on the issue.

The morning after AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said it was important his organisation made “a strong statement” on the issue, the word “YES” replaced the usual AFL logo at Docklands.

A number of AFL clubs have made public their support for same sex marriage including St Kilda, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, and the league wasted little time in following.

“I think that we are a leader (in the community), whether people like that or not, and this is an issue that means a lot to many of our players and many of my employees and a lot of people in the community,” McLachlan said on Fox Footy.

“I think our position is that we need to have a strong statement — even if it was only for our staff — but I think it’s broader than that.

“Beyond that, it’s not to lecture. So people should get out and vote and have their view, but this something that actually talks to a core value of ours which is actual equality.

“People, whether it’s based on race, gender, sexuality, shouldn’t be discriminated against.

“I think it’s encumbant upon us to have a view and I also think it’s encumbant upon us not to lecture people, to not force it down their throat but say this is who we are as a brand ... but go out and vote and have your own view.”

McLachlan he was yet to vote but definitely would.

“I’m on record (as saying) I’m strongly yes,” he said.

“I completely respect people’s personal views, whether they be religious or others, but I think it’s discriminatory to say you and my union is different to someone else’s.”

Originally published as AFL shows its support for same-sex marriage by changing sign at front of league headquarters

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/afl-shows-its-support-for-samesex-marriage-by-changing-sign-at-front-of-league-headquarters/news-story/c7f19d3d22250df777602fbd08717118