Hawthorn FC Faces Online Hate Over Pride Flag Video For IDAHOBIT
Image: members of Hawk’s Pride, Hawthorn FC’s LGBTQI supporters group, celebrate IDAHOBIT on May 17, 2023. Image: Hawk’s Pride/Facebook.
Hawthorn Football Club’s decision to mark IDAHOBIT on May 17 did not go down well with some fans, who targeted the club’s social media pages with abuse and hateful messages.
On Wednesday, the club posted a video to its social media pages showing the Progress Pride Flag being raised. “Everyone is welcome at the Hawks. This IDAHOBIT Day, we stand united against LGBTQIA+ discrimination,” the club said.
Hawk’s Pride, Hawthorn FC’s LGBTQI supporters group were invited by the club to celebrate IDAHOBIT Day. The group thanked the club for its support and “having the opportunity to hear people’s stories and what IDAHOBIT day means to them.”
“To see the progress flag high speaks louder than words. Thank you to the players, staff and guests for attending,” a member of Hawk’s Pride posted on the group’s Facebook page.
Hate Messages
While many fans lauded the club, there were others who slammed it for going “woke”. One member threatened to ditch their club membership, while others accused the club of being ‘Bud Lite’ – a reference to the beer company that faced protests after it appointed trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney as an ambassador.
One fan advised the haters to move on. “If you’re not part of the queer community this isn’t for you, but for the people who are a part of it, who are supporters, staff, players etc, it’s nice to see the club we support, support us. If you don’t like it, scroll on.”
Star Observer reached out to Hawthorn FC over the hate messages, and will update this story when we receive a response.
All Are Welcome At The Club
LGBTQI advocacy group Victorian Pride Lobby, welcomed the club’s decision to show solidarity with the community and queer AFL fans.
“We commend the Hawks for making a statement that shows the LGBTIQA+ community that they’re welcome at the club,” Austin Fabry-Jenkins, Co-Convenor of the Lobby told Star Observer.
“This isn’t new ground for Hawthorn though, they’ve had a supporter pride group for years, they participated in the AFLW Pride Round, they have a line of pride merchandise, and they have fierce LGBTIQA+ advocates in their playing groups.”
The Lobby pointed out that many comments appear to be from those opposed to the progressive direction that the club has been taking in recent years.
No Gay Male AFL Players Have Come Out
“Last year there was a volatile election for the Hawthorn board, members voted overwhelmingly to take the club in a more progressive direction. Most of these commenters are just angry that their guy lost, and are taking it out on LGBTIQA+ fans. They should move on,” added Fabry-Jenkins.
Currently there are no out gay male AFL players.The AFLW has had a Pride round since 2021. While there is an annual Pride game between St Kilda and Sydney Swans teams, AFL is yet to organise a Pride Round.
Earlier this year, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said there were gay male players in the AFL, but they wanted to avoid the “pressure of being the first” to publicly come out.
