Based on how many gay people have already come out and said how much they've been hurt and offended by these player's actions, yes it seems they are treating people poorly whether by direct intent or not. Certainly not setting a good example for the more open-minded youth who look up to these footy players.
Did you hear the rumour that a current Manly player who's gay has decided to stay in the closet after witnessing this? Don't know if it's true, but that's the opposite effect of what this inclusive jersey is supposed to promote. Players on their own team are afraid to be themselves now. All because a few guys are scared of wearing a jersey with a different coloured stripe on it.
I get the point that we shouldn't vilify these players because of their religion just like they shouldn't vilify anyone over their sexual preferences or identity. But I feel the religious excuse can only go so far, and when it clashes with cultural norms, something has to change. (Hint, culture isn't going backwards - it's the religion that needs to change with the times). Discrimination just isn't tolerated in 2022, even if an old book tells you to hate gays.
Freedom of religion is fine until that religion promotes behaviour that people won't put up with anymore.
Yeah I read that thing about the current player, absolutely disgraceful from the journalist imo to publish that and start all sorts of speculation, hasn’t done the kid any favours at all
I get the discrimination angle and all that, I just don’t think that choosing not to promote a certain cause is different to if they treated someone shit face to face
Aside from hanging their teammates out to dry in a high stakes game in order to not wear the same jersey as them that quite simply promotes equality and respect of a marginalized group?
Do you really need more evidence than that?
It's not luring people into being gay ffs..
RE the trans thing; god, I wish it wouldn't
to put it simply, I believe you can be tolerant and accepting of people face to face, without promoting the issue. Happy to label them homophobes etc if they are bagging people to their face etc but for me it isn’t at that level
I guess for me as well it’s easy to dump on these guys, but we all know how Polynesian culture operates in regards to respect for your elders etc and it’s an ingrained generational thing, are these young fellas the guys to stand up and break that cycle ?
Interesting though, surely big Israel should be welcomed back now, wasn't he just asserting his religious beliefs too?
I’d never have him banned while the likes of Lodge are suiting up
They happily promote women in league round every year while running out the likes of Lodge, Walker, Blake, Inglis, Bird etc etc which I’m sure has offended some women in the past