Footy Stadium sign divides Australia

AUSTRALIA was completely split by a sign at a Melbourne footy Stadium in groundbreaking new territory for Aussie sport.

Etihad Stadium sign identifying a toilet as gender diverse

ETIHAD Stadium has introduced gender-fluid toilets for all spectators during the annual Pride Game between St Kilda and Sydney.

Social commentators and footy fans have been divided by the move to designate three toilet blocks throughout the Docklands venue for all-gender use.

Signs posted throughout the stadium and then flashed on the giant screens inside the stadium advertised one toilet block on each level of seating have been converted into bathrooms that allowed spectators to use whichever gender bathroom they identified with.

Etihad Stadium is flush with pride tonight ... #AFLSaintsSwans pic.twitter.com/r9UpYcy3I4

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) June 9, 2018

The stadium signs read: “Gender diversity is welcome here.

“Please use the restroom that best fits your gender identity or expression.”

The move follows the AFL’s staging of its annual Pride Game at Etihad Stadium, celebrated by St Kilda and the Swans before and during the round 12 game.

Both clubs have been widely applauded for their public support for inclusion of LGBTI communities in football and everywhere else in Australia.

However, many other commentators believe Etihad Stadium’s decision to scrap traditional mens’ and womens’ gendered toilets was a dangerous development.

Etihad Stadium toilets open to all under "gender diversity". Probably the most stupid idea I've ever heard. Drunk male bogans wandering into the previously labelled female toilets and hoping they'll get a look. Nothing good can come from this idea. https://t.co/4lPDY7e2VP

— Rod van Buuren (@RodvanBuuren) June 9, 2018

Nauseatingly stupid (& the hypocrisy of this bullshit being promoted at a stadium whose naming sponsor is the national carrier of the UAE, where LGBTI rights are heavily suppressed, is comical)

— Rich Gregory (@gegsy1) June 9, 2018

Loving that most nuffies saying this is “PC gone 2 far smh” in your mentions have cars, the ocean or animals as their profile pic.

— Blake Johnson (@BlakeJohnson) June 9, 2018

I don’t, I have a @RAIDERS photo. I also have two daughters that I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending to a bathroom where anybody can walk into. So If I think it’s gone too far I’ll say it.
Then again I’m a dad, who am I to think I have a right to an opinion right?

— Chris Barresi (@chrissobarresi) June 9, 2018

Other commentators applauded the symbolism of the toilet re-allocation.

The drama did not entirely overshadow the commitment of both clubs to promote inclusivity on the night.

The Swans wore rainbow coloured socks in support of the cause, while the Saints wore rainbow coloured numbers on the back of their jumpers.

Both clubs also posted messages in support of the LGBTI community on the banners they ran through at the start of the game.

Host broadcaster Channel 7 also pledged its support of the AFL’s Pride Round.

LGBTI activist Paul Kidd tweeted on Saturday night in support of the AFL’s public support of LGBTI inclusion initiatives.

Footy isn’t what it used to be (and that’s a very good thing). #PrideGame pic.twitter.com/UO47RJ2Eyl

— Paul Kidd (@paulkidd) June 9, 2018

Pride round. PC-haters gonna hate, hate, hate, but in my family, we love it. https://t.co/T10hMljH9R

— Caroline Overington (@overingtonc) June 9, 2018

Very proud to be a @sydneyswans supporter tonight! #pridegame is so important to our community. Plus we are winning, so unreal all round. #goswans #glbti #aflpride https://t.co/zY0LXsyZa0

— Cathy Anderson (@MsCathyAnderson) June 9, 2018

A lovely surprise at my first AFL Pride Game. 10/10. Watching the crowd watch Georgie Stones video for @stkildafc was beautiful. pic.twitter.com/n7D9gx1HBk

— Andy (@torak) June 9, 2018

It got better! pic.twitter.com/EE6atxVGsI

— Andy (@torak) June 9, 2018

How many codes of professional football around the world have a gay pride round? Well #AFL in i#Australia does. Yet another reason why Australian rules football is the best sport there is. https://t.co/MpaLXXrQYK

— Stephen McDonell (@StephenMcDonell) June 9, 2018

The AFL’s annual Pride Game was launched by the Saints in 2016.