Simms: AFL’s homophobia problem is bigger than Rankine
The events of the last few days are a sad reminder of the work we still have to do, writes SA Greens MLC Robert Simms.
I was in Primary School when I was first called a f****t.
In fact, homophobic slurs were hurled at me often when I was at school, well before I even knew I was gay. Boys hated the way I spoke and walked and I was told these things meant I was a “poof.”
When I was about 12, I realised that I was in fact gay. This realisation was devastating for me. I had no conception of what a gay life might look like and if I was copping homophobia when I was in the closet, what hope did I have when people finally discovered who I really was?
I carried this secret for a longtime and I didn’t tell anyone I was gay until I was in my early twenties.
Fast forward 20 years and I live a happy out and proud gay life. I’ve had opportunities that I never dreamed could be possible. Like so many gay men of my generation, my life has been shaped by the brave activists who fought for LGBTI law reform 50 years ago. This year is a chance for us to celebrate their leadership and to reflect on how far we’ve come on the road to equality.
The events of the last few days are a sad reminder of the work we still have to do.
You might like
Football plays a unique role in South Australian culture. In the southern suburbs where I grew up, football players were revered as gods. They were presented as role models to kids, young boys especially. For many men in Australia elite football is seen as the epitome of masculinity.
That’s why what footballers do both on and off the field really matters.
Homophobic sledging reinforces the false perception that sport is no place for gay men, and it normalises homophobia in broader society, particularly in the school yard.
Elite footballers are paid handsomely for their work. Ditching the homophobic language is not much to ask.
Izak Rankine’s alleged use of “f****t” has cast a shadow over what should have been a positive, unifying moment for the state. Many of my gay friends who are big football fans have spoken to me about their profound disappointment about not being able to fully celebrate the Crows’ success. Surely words that were levelled at kids like me in the 90s, aren’t still being thrown around the football field in 2025?
Sadly, Rankine is the latest in a string of players to be caught out using homophobic slurs in recent years. This isn’t a problem unique to the Crows, nor is Rankine the only culprit. His actions however have exposed the problems that the AFL and broader South Australian community must grapple with if we are to tackle this problem head-on.
Stay informed, daily
Once it became clear that Rankine could be suspended for five games, the inevitable question for many commentators is whether the penalty is too harsh: “Is it really fair that Rankine could miss out on potentially participating in the Grand Final?”
It’s understandable that many South Australians, Crows fans especially, will feel disappointed at the prospect of a star player being excluded, but if the AFL is serious about stamping out homophobia it can’t just apply penalties when it’s easy or convenient to do so. Homophobia, racism and sexism should have no place in our national game.
Consistency in penalties is surely a key feature of any response. Political leaders and the Crows should resist the urge to try to diminish the incident.
But for the AFL this is a problem that is much bigger than penalties and the actions of individual players. Clearly sanctions alone aren’t working. Why is it that in 2025 we still haven’t had an openly gay male AFL player? What is being done to create an environment where footballers feel safe and supported in coming out? Why isn’t there a dedicated Pride Round for male players? It’s time for the AFL to adopt a review of its inclusion strategies to really weed out homophobia.
Many gay sporting personalities have spoken out over the years about the challenges they faced in securing sponsorship arrangements and sustaining their careers. It’s time for the AFL to invest in a strategy to support and celebrate its gay male players (you can bet that they do exist!).
At a time when there have been mounting allegations of homophobia, the AFL really need to put their money where their mouth is. It is truly baffling that the AFL have chosen Snoop Dogg to perform at the Grand Final. The selection of the US rapper, who has form for homophobic lyrics and posting inappropriate material online simply reinforces the perception that the AFL is tin-eared and oblivious to its systemic problems.
Ultimately, of course, homophobia is an issue that our society must also confront more broadly. While there’s no doubt that huge strides in LGBTI rights have been made in recent years, the rise of Trumpism and the ‘anti-woke’ movement is creating a more permissive culture for bigotry. Many LGBTI people are noting an increase in hate speech online and there’s been a spike in homophobic violence in recent months.
The events of the last week provide a yet another reminder that we must be forever vigilant in the fight to stamp out homophobia. Action both on and off the sports field is vital if we are to fully realise the promise those brave activists fought for 50 years ago.
Robert Simms is a Greens MLC and one of two openly gay members of State Parliament.
