The second annual AFLW Pride Game between the Western Bulldogs and Carlton is coming up this weekend, and it feels like a perfect opportunity to reflect on the AFLW’s relationship to its LGBTQIA+ fans and the game itself.
I spoke to Ben Innella, Carlton Pride’s Events Manager, about what they do.
Like most Pride groups, their aim since 2016 has been to “provide a safe and inclusive environment” for members and allies. This has developed from being a “supporter group” to also providing support to its LGBTQIA+ members. Today, this entails sitting together at matches, as well as regular pre-game functions and attending events such as Midsumma.
“Carlton work well with our group in making sure they get our message across, that everyone... should feel safe and proud of who they are,” Ben said, noting in particular that gun forward Darcy Vescio has gone out of her way to help out where she can.
They are hoping to give back to the AFLW and sponsor a player from next season onwards.
Similarly, Bulldog Pride came together in 2017 when a group of fans realised they needed a “fun, inclusive safe space to watch the footy together”. Since then, it has grown from an informal social group to a formalised coterie supporter group of the club.
Committee member Connor Borchard-Burns said their “organising committee is deliberately diverse – we pride ourselves on magnifying the variety of voices and experiences that make up our community.”
She stresses that the club has taken a vested interest in the group, which has been positive for the members to see.
“They see firsthand that the club they’ve loved and been a part of values them as fans and as people,” Connor explains.
“The Pride Game, in particular... the club has worked with us, and members of our community, to undertake meaningful consultation and taken real steps to make the game genuinely inclusive and accessible – like providing gender neutral toilets and ensuring members of the community feel safe.”
Similar to Carlton Pride, they host social events at women’s and men’s matches, as well as a Grand Final brekkie for the AFLW (although their team won’t be playing!) and attending club events like Family Day to “grow the rainbow wave for the Dogs.”
The AFLW Pride Game is this Sunday at Whitten Oval, at 4.05pm. Both Pride groups will have membership and merchandise stalls at the match and are forming a guard of honour for the players at the beginning of the game.
Let’s hope it’ll be a closer one this year!
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