Aussie footballers boycott US finals over DeSantis gender laws

Aussie footballers are demanding the USAFL move the national championships from Florida to a “safer location” amid the state’s new gender laws.

Amateur Australian footballers in the US are refusing to play in this year’s finals series in Florida because they fear the state’s gender laws could put them in jail or risk their lives.

Almost 200 players, coaches and supporters have signed an open letter demanding the USAFL move October’s national championships to a “safer location for all involved”.

But league bosses say that while “some current circumstances and situations are distressing” for some club members, it is too late to shift the tournament to another state.

The storm erupted in the wake of sweeping legislative changes made this year by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who last week launched his presidential campaign.

He signed a strict abortion ban, rules allowing healthcare providers to refuse service to LGBTQ people, restrictions on teaching critical race theory, and what critics called the “Don’t Say Gay” law to prevent classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Group picture of players from the 2022 USAFL Nationals. Picture: Instagram

In response, the National Association of the Advancement of Coloured People warned people about travelling to Florida, saying the state was “openly hostile toward African American, people of colour and LGBTQ+ individuals”.

Mr DeSantis – Donald Trump’s top rival for the 2024 Republican nomination – blasted the statement as a “political stunt” and said it was a “total farce” to claim Florida was unsafe.

But in the open letter circulating among USAFL players and coaches, they said they had “grave concerns” about this year’s men’s and women’s finals being held in Florida.

The letter warned transgender individuals risked “jail time and criminal charges” if they used bathrooms aligned with their gender identity, and that LGBTQ players could be denied medical treatment.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is making sweeping legislative changes. Picture: AFP

“The potential risk of this situation at a USAFL event cannot be understated, and could potentially put lives at risk,” it said.

The letter said some USAFL members had already decided not to travel to Florida, and that if more players and coaches pulled out, it “could threaten the tournament’s viability”.

“When choosing locations, the league must consider state specific attacks on LGBTQ players, access to medical care, and any other dangers relevant to players within the league,” it said.

“Florida represents a tangible travel risk for many of the individuals on our team and around the league and is not a suitable or equitable place to hold the premier tournament of the game we all hold dear to our hearts.”

The USAFL said in a statement that the tournament could not be moved. It said more information would soon be provided to the clubs, and that league staff would “continue to liaise with our local partners to ensure the safety of players at the tournament”.

Originally published as Aussie footballers boycott US finals over DeSantis gender laws