Joel Creasey says it’s the right time for an AFL player to come out

Joel Creasey says it’s the right time for an AFL player to come out
Image: Image: Joel Creasey / Instagram.

Comedian Joel Creasey has said the time is right for a gay AFL player to come out.

Creasey divulged in a Herald Sun column that he once slept with an anonymous AFL player.

“We met at a party, we went home,” he wrote.

“I didn’t even realise he was an AFL player until the next day.

“But it didn’t surprise me. After hearing his stories, it made me realise how commonplace it is, being a gay player, within the AFL.”

Creasey said—tongue very possibly in cheek—that a player coming out would be great for the sport because of its recent efforts to promote equality.

He wrote that his own coming out as a teenager was relatively easy thanks to a supportive family.

“My parents were so supportive and accepting about it,” he wrote.

“I feel sorry for people where it takes them years to come out, or [they] can’t do it.”

Creasey went to school with Ben Cousins and Buddy Franklin, who would go on to become famous footballers, and he said that even in school they were well-known and respected.

“But I was a captain, too—of the drama club,” he added.

“There was no support for my club, or the arts, at my high school, and I really hated that.

“Now they send out notices about the school’s drama program with my face on it.”

The AFL has ramped up efforts to promote inclusion and diversity in recent years, throwing its support behind last year’s Yes campaign for marriage equality, and holding a number of pride matches.

While there are plenty of gay players in women’s AFL, no current players in the men’s league are openly gay, although a small number of former players have come out.

You May Also Like

2 responses to “Joel Creasey says it’s the right time for an AFL player to come out”

  1. I vote Joel Creasey the most shallow and superficial self-promoter of 2018…. why a B grade comedian feels he is in a position to dictate to others on the subjects of morality, sexual and personal ethics amongst other things particular to LGBTIQ issues is beyond me.

  2. Of course Joel’s right but the silver lining to this cloud is that every day another professional footy player doesn’t come out just adds to the legend of the iconic Ian Roberts.