Here’s one excellent tactic in the fight for Australian marriage equality — enlighten the national pastime with a history of homophobia on the issue, then stand back and let them be the perfect ally.
The most convincing arguments come from the places you’d least expect, so when the National Rugby League decided to join 400 organizations to formally support a campaign encouraging Federal Parliament to pass same-sex marriage, people listen.
Related: This Might Be The Most Rousing Marriage Equality Speech You’ll Hear
Even better, players themselves are entering the conversation. Imagine what it must feel like as a gay youth in Australia to see the culture’s sports idols advocating on behalf of marriage equality. Excuse us, we’ve got — ahem — something in our eye.
Rabbitohs star Thomas Burgess, 23, spoke recently to the Sydney Morning Herald, applauding the NRL’s decision.
“It’s ignorant and old-fashioned [to think] if you’re male you can only love a female,” he said, adding, “Nowadays, anyone can love anyone. And people just need to get over it.”
Speaking about his own gay friends, Burgess reasoned, “I wouldn’t want them to be unhappy in life.”
“One of the NRL’s core values is inclusiveness and we have put in place practices and policies to support and recognise the rights of our LGBTI community. Accordingly, the NRL supports marriage equality,” NRL chief operating officer Suzanne Young said.
Related: PHOTOS: Nude-Selfie-Taking Rugby Hunk Could Find Himself “Working In A Gay Bar”
Burgess also addressed homophobic slurs on the field, saying that players “don’t actually think about what they’re saying. It’s more just a bit of stupidity, really.”
He hopes awareness will help them to “understand that it’s not right.”
“They need to be more educated about it.”
Johnny Angelo Paccini
<3
notevenwrong
Of all the sports, Rugby has the hottest bodies. I know they all did steroids to get like that (it’s actually a pretty well-known health issue with young Rugby players in the Old Country where I am from), but I don’t care, they’re so hot.
GayEGO
This is an excellent way to educate the youth as it shows that gays can be masculine men who love men. This makes the bullies points against gays as being effeminate pointless. The same thing happened when the DADT law was removed in the U.S. Military.
pscheck2
I’m glad the Burgess twins arre inching closer…………..out!When I see pics of them, my vibs go pinging, especially, Tommy boy!But, hey! being friends of ‘Dorothy’ is a good start. My best to them both!lol
notevenwrong
@GayEGO, really? Some of the biggest and most fabulous queens I know look identical to these guys, and more power to them. You want to broaden the gay umbrella? Fine, but please find a way to celebrate muscle men that isn’t derogatory towards effeminate men.
SportGuy
@GayEGO: Very much agreed!
Benjamin Alexander Starr
Nathan Wilson burgess boys get me everytime. Especially far left ð??
Goforit
@notevenwrong: Oh please! Not every comment about masculine men is meant to be a slight about effeminate men. You live your life and I will live mine. This constant bickering towards each other only helps our enemies.
Goforit
PS. More pictures please.
jason smeds
Where have you been all my life, Papi ????
notevenwrong
@Goforit, he implied that fem guys can’t have nice muscular bodies, and that the guys in the picture, or that guys who play rugby, couldn’t possibly be fem. You know that is not close to being true.
notevenwrong
@Goforit, he also said that we should care that bullies think gay guys are effeminate, as if it were okay to bully effeminate guys.
Cagnazzo82
Rugby is the most visually stimulating sport for a gay guy to watch.
I appreciate all they do.
Billy Budd
Very cute.
ScottOnEarth
@notevenwrong: LOL!!! A story about support for equality and you focus on how hot the rugby players are. Who said gay men are shallow? Too funny.
Masc Pride
@GayEGO: Totally agree with your general point, but how does Burgess help to prove this? Bet none of the guys pictured are even gay at all. The Rugby League is just being supportive. If a bunch of guys that looked like this were on a team that was actually good, that would be so powerful.
jwtraveler
@notevenwrong: Absolutely right! There are as many good ways to be gay as there are gay people.