NRL rejected by Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for not being gay enough after Pride jersey scandal

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras organizers have turned down the NRL’s request for a float at the 2023 event because they believe the league isn’t gay or creative enough to warrant its inclusion.

The official line from the organizers is that a record number of applicants for the 45th anniversary of the LGBTQIA+ pride celebration meant that 30 per cent of applicants were turned down, including the NRL.

However, the date of the rejection, 12 September 2022, came just after seven Manly Sea Eagles players made the decision to boycott their game against the Sydney Roosters following the club’s decision to wear a unique pride jersey. .

Manly lost that game and five others in a row to fall out of final contention while manager Des Hasler was ultimately sacked.

The Pride Jersey and its rainbow stripes divided the Manly Sea Eagles fan base and the wider NRL audience

The shirt, which featured rainbow trim on the traditional Manly strip, divided supporters with many in favor of the move towards inclusivity, while others argued that the players had the right to freedom of religion and not to wear the shirt.

A host of big names criticized the Manly players for their stance, including the NRL’s first openly gay player, Ian Roberts, and Hollywood stars Magda Szubanski and Hugh Jackman.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the largest LGBTQIA+ pride celebrations in the world, attracting around 500,000 people.

The NRL has had a float at the event for seven of the last eight years, only missing out in 2020 because officials applied late.

Former NRL players Jason King, Dan Hunt and Wendell Sailor dance on the NRL float during the Sydney 2016 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade

The NRL’s first openly gay player, Ian Roberts, has been a longtime supporter of the league at Mardi Gras.

Organizers did not focus on the Manly Pride Jersey and how it affected the NRL’s application, but said selection criteria needed to be used to determine which organizations made the cut in 2023.

Mardi Gras officials released a statement explaining why the NRL was not approved for 2023.

“Due to this landmark year, we received a phenomenal number of parade requests, far exceeding our total capacity,” the statement read.

‘To ensure the safety of all of our participants and spectators, we must adhere to strict limits on the number of people and vehicles involved in the event.

‘While we wish we could open our arms to all applications, demand this year was so high that we only had the capacity to accept 70 per cent of the total applications we received.

‘When the number of applications exceeds our capacity, the Mardi Gras Parade Curatorial Committee, made up of diverse representatives of our LGBTQIA+ communities, evaluates all entries using a clear set of selection criteria.

Former NRL player and Footy Show personality Beau Ryan is made up for his appearance on the NRL floor at Mardi Gras 2019.

‘The priority for parade selection always goes to LGBTQIA+ groups. Selection criteria also evaluate strong creative concepts with the ability to produce and deliver them, as well as a consideration of your previous runway history.

“In total, there will be a record 207 groups represented in the 2023 Mardi Gras parade, sharing an impressive array of creative concepts from all walks of LGBTQIA+ life.”

The NRL also issued a statement saying it may continue to push for ‘Pride in League’ despite the rejection.

“The NRL has been a proud participant in Mardi Gras for seven years and applied to participate in the 2023 event after we were successful with our 2022 application,” the NRL statement read.

‘On 12 September 2022 the NRL was informed that our application to participate in the 2023 Parade was unsuccessful.

While seven players withdrew for Manly, there were several other players who were willing to wear the jersey in their place.

Pride Jerseys raised more than $350,000 for the suicide prevention charity Gotcha4Life, founded by radio star Gus Worland (center)

‘The NRL is committed to creating an environment of respect, equality and inclusion, ensuring that everyone has ‘Pride in the League’. ‘Pride in League’ represents the pride we have in our game and its people, the pride we have in the diverse backgrounds that make up the rugby league community and the pride we have in our ability to rise to the occasion. and support our teammates. .

‘The NRL’s involvement in Mardi Gras does not change its commitment to creating a sport that is inclusive and specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community.

‘We continue to work alongside our partners, including Pride In Sport, to assess ourselves against best practice and build an inclusive environment for people of diverse sexualities and genders in our sport.

‘The NRL was awarded the Bronze Award at the 2022 Pride In Sport Awards, recognizing our support of the community.’

ARL Chairman Peter V’landys recently said that the NRL could move to create a Round of Respect instead of a Round of Pride.