Blackwell leading fight against homophobia

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars vice-captain Alex Blackwell will be leading from the front as some of the biggest names in Australian sport join Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festivities to help combat homophobia.

Blackwell will be joined in the parade by straight athletes including the AFL’s Mike Pyke and Nick Smith, Rugby’s Matt Toouma and Lachlan Mitchell, Cricket’s Greg Matthews, NRL’s Paul Langmack, Soccer’s Ryan Grant as well as LGBTI Olympians Matthew Mitcham and Daniel Kowalski.

The first three floats of the parade will be dedicated to sport, shining a light on the success of elite gay athletes, the continued dedication by major Australian codes to promote an inclusive and diverse environment, and recent achievements of the ‘Sydney Convicts’ – the side that last year took home top honours at the world cup of gay rugby, the Bingham Cup.

The five logos of the five sporting organisations that signed a joint commitment to eliminate homophobia in sport, of which Cricket Australia was a part, will also feature in the parade.

As a key member of the all-conquering Southern Stars and captain of the NSW Lend Lease Breakers, who this year won their 10th consecutive Women’s National Cricket League title, Blackwell is one of the most successful openly gay athletes in the world.

Blackwell also understands the unique challenges gay athletes face on and off the field – as well as the importance of having the support of your teammates.

“I’m very excited to take part in the parade as a proud, gay Australian athlete and stand beside some wonderful straight allies,” Blackwell said

“I think one of the best ways to combat discrimination is for LGBTI athletes and their allies to be visible.

“Coming out is a very personal choice, but I was able to summon the courage to come out myself because I had role models who came out before me.

“I hope this float will send a message to all athletes that everyone should be welcome in sport regardless of their sexuality.”

Blackwell will be joined on the float by Southern Stars teammate and opening batter Elyse Villani.

Ahead of last year’s Bingham Cup, an international study was carried out to investigate the extent of homophobia in sport.

That report found that Australia had the highest participation rate of lesbian, gay and bisexual athletes in the English-speaking world.

It also found 80% of Australians have witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport and that 27% of gay men and 17% of lesbians received verbal threats to do them harm within a team environment.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Mardi Gras’ senior parade creative Ignatius Jones was clear in his hope for the festival.

“More than any other nation,” Jones said. “Australians admire and are influenced by their sporting heroes.”

“The example set by great sports men and women in denouncing homophobia is a powerful weapon against this irrational and vicious prejudice, as is their support for campaigns which aim to eradicate discrimination