Australian rugby player Dylan Walker has jumped to the defense of his homophobic teammates, and his reasoning is giving us major fumble vibes.
To recap, last month the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles’ Pride night turned into a PR nightmare after seven teammates protested.
Citing “religious and cultural objections,” they refused to wear uniforms featuring rainbow accents and sat the game out.
The optics got even worse when Des Hasler, the team’s coach, apologized to them for the “poor execution” of the Pride jerseys, calling it a “significant mistake.”
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Now one of the players who did participate in the show of support for queer athletes and fans is speaking out about the incident, throwing his support behind his anti-LGBTQ teammates.
Walker told the Daily Mail, “I have two gay brothers, including one who is transitioning to become a girl, but it didn’t hurt me.”
How nice for him! It’s good to know how homophobia personally affects straight guys who happen to have queer family members.
He continued: “It was such an important game in our season, but if you are going to stand for something you believe in, how can you be angry with them for that?”
“They [my family] weren’t angry at all. They said, ‘if you’re representing, we’re sweet’. If you’re a good person, which [my teammates] all are, I can’t be angry with them.”
D’aw, those lovable homophobes — he just can’t stay mad at ’em!
Related: Rugby player Nick McCarthy comes out as gay, gives a sweet nod to Carl Nassib and Josh Cavallo
It’s nice that Walker’s family appreciated his participation, but maybe he should also ask them what it felt like for his teammates to sit out an important game just to avoid the appearance of supporting the LGBTQ community.
Or he could listen to gay, former Manly player Ian Roberts, who called the mess “sad and uncomfortable.”
“I can promise you every young kid on the northern beaches [of Sydney] who is dealing with their sexuality would have heard about this,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
He also shared a message for the seven players: “Can you not understand the pain visited upon gay people who, no matter what they do, are disrespected simply for being gay?”
Perhaps Walker could relay the question at the team’s next practice.
Joshua333
Wow misgendering his sister… yikes. I mean I know the sport probably means he has so many knocks to the head that low intelligence is expected but girl…
cuteguy
He’s a homophobe himself bc he’s defending homophobia. He obviously hates his gay brother and trans sister. His garbage defense is like saying you’re not a racist simply bc you have black friends.
monty clift
“If you’re a good person, which [my teammates] all are” Oh, f*ck off. None of your pearl clutching teammates are good people. Sure they had no problem with wearing all those sponsorship/advertisement uniforms but bring out a barely seen rainbow and these hypocrite manbabies start crying in a corner.
Archbishop763
It just never ends. The “beliefs” that they are supporting against homosexuality are all based entirely on lies, misinformation and hatred.
Jim
Can bigotry and hate truly be a sincerely held religious belief???
Yooper
I wouldn’t say “sincerely held”, more akin to religious discrimination, and it’s becoming the norm in the States.
nbrowntr
I wouldn’t want anyone supporting my community who truly didn’t want to. People have a choice what they wish to support. I wouldn’t wear a uniform that promoted a particular religion or or political party, doesn’t mean I hate or dislike politicians or religious folk, what’s the issue here? As long as there is no bullying or discriminatory behaviour. Team mates refusing to wear a pride t-shirt is not discriminatory. People are so sensitive these days.
charette8596
Well said. If you’re going to be angry with every person who doesn’t believe what you believe, you’re going to be unhappy most of the time. Live and let live.