116: Homophobia in the AFL needs to stop

This isn't the first time Scott has spoken out about the homophobia that goes on in the AFL, but this time enough is enough. The blatant inconsistency with each penalty applied to players who use homophobic slurs is beyond ridiculous, and change needs to happen NOW!

If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can reach out to these organisations:

Lifeline - 13 11 14

Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636

Fullstop Australia - 1800 385 578

AFL INCIDENTS TIMELINE:

• Alastair Clarkson: fined $20,000 and given a suspended ban for using a homophobic slur during a pre-season match vs St Kilda (March 2024). Fox Sports
• Jeremy Finlayson (Port Adelaide): 3-game suspension for homophobic slur in Round 4 vs Essendon (April 2024). AFL.com.au
• Wil Powell (Gold Coast Suns): 5-game suspension after QClash vs Brisbane, Round 8 (May 2024). ABC News
• Lance Collard (St Kilda, VFL): 6-game suspension (mid-2024, VFL match). The Age
• Riak Andrew (Sydney Swans): 5-week suspension in Round 6 vs Carlton (May 2025). Herald Sun
• Jack Graham (West Coast): 4-game suspension in Round 10 vs Fremantle (June 2025). Fox Sports
• Izak Rankine (Adelaide): 4-game suspension, reduced from 5, for slur against a Collingwood opponen in Round 23 (August 2025). The Guardian, AFL Statement

RESEARCH & STATS:

• LGBTQIA+ people are 4–5 times more likely to attempt suicide.
• 80% of young queer Australians report verbal abuse.
• Homophobic language is the most common form of abuse in sport.
  (La Trobe University, Writing Themselves In 4 Report, 2021) Download Report PDF

AFL LEADERSHIP QUOTES:

• AFL CEO Andrew Dillon (2024):
  “No, I don’t think we do [have a problem with homophobia]. But I think language of the type that has been used is not acceptable in any forum, let alone the footy field.”
  ABC News
• Liana Brown, Chair of AFL Pride and Allies Network, in the AFL LGBTQI+ Inclusion Action Plan:
  “It is the AFL’s responsibility as custodians of the game to do everything that it can to ensure that all participants are safe within our environments.” AFL LGBTQI+ Inclusion Action Plan (PDF)

SPONSORS & ZERO TOLERANCE:

• Coles Group: Diversity & Inclusion Policy → “Discrimination, harassment or bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity is not tolerated.” Termination is a consequence. Coles Group Policy
• Telstra: Code of Conduct → “Breaches may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.” Telstra Code of Conduct
• Virgin Australia (CEO Dave Emerson): Workplace policy → violations of anti-discrimination policy can result in termination. Strong public LGBTQ+ allyship (Mardi Gras sponsorship). Virgin Australia Diversity Policy
• NAB: Human Rights Policy → “We will not tolerate discrimination in our workplaces.” NAB Human Rights Policy

SNOOP DOGG:

• On It’s Giving podcast, mocking same-sex parents in Pixar’s Lightyear:
  “I’m like, oh s—, I didn’t come in for this s—, I just came to watch the goddamn movie. So that’s like, f— me. I’m scared to go to the movies now, like y’all throwing me in the middle of s— that I don’t have an answer for.”
  News.com.au

MEDIA ALLIES & COMMENTATORS:

• Kate McCarthy (ABC Radio) — called out AFL’s “zero tolerance inconsistency.”
• Gerard Whateley (SEN) — described Rankine’s reduced ban as a “failure of leadership.”
• Rebecca Shaw (The Guardian) - “Slurs aren’t just words, they wound.”
• The Herald Sun, Page 13 - argued for serious treatment of slurs.
• The Australian - criticised AFL’s “tick-a-box” culture on inclusion.
• The Daily Aus Podcast - openly supportive.
• Words Matter Podcast - Georgie Tunnie & Abbey Gelmi - openly supportive.
• Brendan Fevola, Dan’s Footy - openly supportive.
• Caroline Wilson - 3AW
• Ian Roberts - 10NEWS+

LINKS:

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CREDITS:

• Hosts: Luke O'Halloran and Scott O’Halloran
• Production: Earsay
• Manager & Sales: Mushroom Group