Laidley: ‘I was livid at the Four Corners episode’

Danielle Laidley has hit out at the ABC’s recent investigation, saying the suggestion the AFL is homophobic is “absolutely not the case”.

Danielle Laidley has fiercely defended the AFL against suggestions the sport is homophobic.

Laidley, who is bravely telling her story of gender transition, said she was “livid” at the ABC’s Four Corners investigation last month into why no AFL player has come out as gay.

“When we decided to make (my documentary) there were two reasons why: the narrative that came out was not kind and we wanted to take control of that narrative and tell the story in our own words,’’ Laidley said.

“And secondly people who go through gender dysphoria or mental health or addiction issues, to send a message out to the community I suppose. And particularly I was livid at the Four Corners episode a few weeks ago where they labelled the AFL homophobic. Absolutely not the case.”

Former AFL footballer and coach Danielle Laidley has fiercely defended the AFL.

Laidley whose documentary Two Tribes launched at ACMI on Monday night, said footy saved her life.

The launch was attended by Laidley’s former North Melbourne teammates including Anthony Stevens, Wayne Schwass and Darren Crocker, along with North Melbourne president Dr Sonja Hood, producer Eddie McGuire and the AFL’s Gillon McLachlan and Andrew Dillon.

“And in Gill’s words, yeah there may be gay players, teammates know and family and friends know, but that’s all that’s important,’’ Laidley said.

“And then people see it’s more a societal shift and hopefully I’ve been able to break down some of those barriers. And in the future people will feel comfortable being themselves.

Danielle Laidley with Gillon McLachlan at her documentary premiere on Monday.

That’s because this has been three years in the making. And tonight we hand it over to the world.”

Laidley said the AFL and football were first to wrap their arms around her when she was arrested three years ago and photos of her were made public, outing her as transgender.

“When you live in fear, shame and embarrassment because of what people think of you or might say, for want of a better word, and when it all turns to shit they were the first people there,’’ she said.

“The AFL, North Melbourne, Anthony Stevens, Mark Brayshaw, Darren Crocker, (my son) Kane: I can’t put into words I’m so grateful of how they’ve accepted me. Through my journey I perhaps always thought maybe one day football would kill me, but invariably it saved my life. No question.”

Laidley was also joined by partner Donna Leckie and son Kane, but said her relationship with her two daughters was still a work in progress.

Laidley and Donna Leckie. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“I’m always very proud of all my children,’’ she said.

“They’ve had a lot to deal with themselves and as much as it hurts me and I’ve made some mistakes along the way, I am proud of them being on their own journey and hopefully those journeys cross very soon.

“It’s really good now to be able to live in the present. There’s now becoming distance between what was so public and now. That in itself throws up a lot of issues but it’s just great to live in the present. It’s great for Donna and I but the black hole is still my daughters. The reality is it’s on their time and I’ll continue to work on myself and be the best person I can for when they’re ready.”