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MATCH DETAILS: 2pm, Melbourne University Oval.
The Melbourne University Blacks, from the same amateur football league where AFL chief Gillon McLachlan is a life member, will wear rainbow-coloured jumpers in an unprecedented show of support for gay pride on Saturday.
A first in amateur football league history, the initiative – "Gay? That's OK" – has been supported by McLachlan who is a life member of the Uni Blues.
Well considering he's a Uni Blues man, this is pretty impressive.....Just a reminder of what's happening tomorrow at...Posted by University Blacks Football Club on Thursday, August 27, 2015
It has been inspired by former club player Lachlan Beaton who disguised his sexuality while playing football out of fear he would be ostracised. Knowing he was gay since he was 15, Beaton suffered terribly before he came out, with paranoia, binge drinking and suicidal thoughts.
Beaton and his identical twin Charles are campaigning around the issue motivated by the clear role sport plays in education, inclusion and, ultimately, helping to save lives.
The 50m lines are looking colourful today for the @gay_thats_ok match. Reserves start @ 11.40am, Seniors @ 2.00pm. pic.twitter.com/SUuL1RhN26— Uni Blacks FC (@UniBlacksFC)
August 29, 2015
The pair have enlisted the support of Angie Greene, daughter of Hawthorn and St Kilda legend Russell, sister of former Hawthorn player Steve and granddaughter of tennis icon Frank Sedgman.
Fairfax Media reported earlier this year how Greene has enlisted high-profile AFL players intent on combating homophobia, and making their own sporting settings more inclusive, after her youngest brother, Brent, suffered as a young gay man and felt uncomfortable around football.
Greene and her father both lamented that, in their view, the AFL had not done enough in the area of targeting homophobia.
"They've got so much power, so much money, they write their own laws; they can do something really positive here," Angie Greene said earlier this year.
Her father concurred: "Even when Steven played there wasn't much talk about bringing this to the fore. Clearly there was nothing like it when I played.
"Now we're seeing little steps. But they just need someone to shake the tree a bit more and get on with it."
Former Geelong player Simon Hogan, former Yarra Glen footballer Jason Ball, Hawthorn premiership defender Matt Spangher, the Beatons and Greenes have been involved in activities before Saturday's game.
Find out more here.
