Parramatta Eels tackle homophobia
Local News, By
Matt Akersten, 17th May, 2011
To mark
IDAHO 2011, Sydney NRL team the
Parramatta Eels and some of their top players are lending their support to an international effort to reduce discrimination against LGBTI people.
Star players supporting the project are
Chris Walker, Etu Uaisele, Joel Reddy and
Taniela Lasalo.
The four players are pictured in an online gallery with their signs supporting diversity in sport – see all the photos here.
The new pictures are just a small – but important – part of ACON’s popular This Is Oz campaign, which Same Same is proud and pleased to support.
Find out more at ThisIsOz.com.au.
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says he’s delighted that the Parramatta Eels are supporting the International Day Against Homophobia and This Is Oz.
“IDAHO gives us an opportunity to reflect on the serious impact that homophobia, transphobia and discrimination has on the health and wellbeing of our community, especially on young GLBT people who are up to 15 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population,” Parkhill explains.
“Our This Is Oz initiative offers people throughout Australia a simple yet powerful way to speak up and show their support for a society that respects human rights, embraces diversity and accepts people on face value.”
“We’re extremely grateful for the support of all our This Is Oz project partners, especially this latest contribution from the Parramatta Eels and their players.”
Receiving the support of local sporting heroes is extremely valuable to the project, he notes. “Their extraordinary profile within the community is a really effective way of getting ordinary Australians to engage with the issue of GLBT discrimination, face up to the impact of homophobia and then hopefully do their bit to help make Australia a place where everyone belongs.”
