The Grubber: The game needs to unlearn homophobia

THERE are many layers to homophobia, although rugby isn’t the only sport that perpetuates this problematic behaviour – it certainly has a lot of work to do.

There have been three cases of homophobia in the last two years that has given the game some unwanted attention.

The one that stands out the most is the Israel Folau case. Folau’s fall from grace has been a shock to the system for Australian rugby. Not only did the high-profile fullback say a horrible thing about homosexual people “hell awaits gay people,” the raging homophobe took the Australian Rugby Union to court for A$ 14 Million for his dismissal.

Folau also argued that the termination of his contract was a case of religious discrimination.

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After Folau settled in court with the ARU, for an undisclosed amount, the former rugby league star went back to his roots and rejoined the 13-man-a-side code when he signed for the Catalan Dragons.

Subsequently, The Dragons were criticised for asking some fans to move a rainbow flag during their match against Castleford Tigers in the Super League because it covered an advertising board.

It was also reported by BBC Sport that two women, who attended the Dragons and Castleford Tigers game –  were asked to remove their symbols of LGBT pride – “on health and safety grounds”. Although the french-based side deny any wrong doing, as a rugby fan, I find hard not to see how far the Dragons are going to protect their homophobic star player.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, The Catalan Dragons have said they will investigate incidents that led to two supporters being asked to remove rainbow flags during Israel Folau’s Super League debut.

@SuperLeague @TheRFL @CTRLFC @DragonsOfficiel just been told I am not allowed this flag because the club does not allow it. How disgusting #loveislove #castleford #pride pic.twitter.com/m5vR60k9MA

— Alison Grey (@AlisonGrey91) February 15, 2020

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A more recent homophobic incident in the game involves the former Fiji Rugby Union chairman, Francis Kean.

Kean was forced to withdraw from seeking a place in the World Rugby executive committee following accusations of ‘rampant homophobia’.

Kean was accused of discrimination, and the use of graphic and violent homophobic language. The Daily Mail also reported that Samoa’s ex captain, Daniel Leo, who’s also the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare chief executive, is considering writing to the International Olympic Committee to ask for sevens rugby to be suspended from the Olympics.

Leo is considering this due to what he believes is a breach of ethics involved with Fiji and France’s rugby union for nominating Kean for a place in World Rugby’s executive committee. It’s believed that France’s rugby union endorsed Kean’s nomination and Fiji’s rugby union backed Bill Beaumont’s re-election in World Rugby’s hot seat.

Another incident that’s close to home, came from Super Rugby’s most successful team, The Crusaders, during their tour of South Africa.

It’s alleged that several players made fun of a gay man in a fast food restaurant while on tour, imitating his voice and making limp wrist gestures. Predictably, the players denied the allegations.

Although the Rugby community generally looks down on Football and the “softness” of the sport (typical toxic masculinity) they could take a stance against homophobia like the Football Association (FA) in England.

The FA has been progressive in their support of the LGBTQ ++ community and have taken a vehement stance on homophobia in football.

Rugby could benefit from this and if the game wants to be more progressive and inclusive, it needs to get rid of this problematic thinking from the subscribers and athletes of the game.

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