Inaugural Carlton AFLW star Darcy Vescio has urged gamers to “not punch down” when dressing up for end-of-season celebrations.
Talking on the AFLW’s Delight Spherical launch, Vescio has defined how all gamers should be cognisant of their role-model standing.
Geelong confirmed it was going to ditch its Mad Monday celebrations after widespread criticism of some controversial costumes and questionable social media antics, notably from star Bailey Smith, following the grand ultimate defeat to the Brisbane Lions.
In a caption of a photograph with Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield, Smith referenced the film Brokeback Mountain, which depicts a posh romantic relationship between two cowboys, and wrote “that is what shedding a granny does to ya”.
Former West Coast defender Mitch Brown, the primary AFL participant to publicly reveal he’s bisexual, was unimpressed.
“Maybe one thing that did not imply to be hurtful can rapidly grow to be hurtful when it is picked up,” Vescio, who got here out as non-binary in 2021, stated on Wednesday.
“It gives a chance to grasp that what you do issues and what you make enjoyable of actually can create a variety of upset for individuals.
“When you suppose it isn’t one thing that you have to be fearful about, it is in all probability since you’ve by no means been impacted by that or by no means been the butt of the joke.
“If we minimise these items as effectively, it simply sends the message that it is OK for sure individuals to at all times be the butt of the joke.
“I really like a dress-up. I really like a wig. I am all about celebrating the season, and I feel it may be a extremely enjoyable a part of the 12 months.
“However simply ensuring we’re not punching down is basically vital and understanding that what you do issues.”
Vescio additionally stated that the boys’s recreation may do extra to help LGBTQIA+ group and that AFLW gamers may assist AFL gamers perceive extra about it.
“The second we noticed Mitch Brown come out [as bisexual] confirmed that we’re transferring ahead,” stated Vescio, who additionally designed this 12 months’s Delight Spherical ball.
“However we have additionally seen some backlash, and the way in which totally different golf equipment have both embraced that story or simply let it slide by.
“Having somebody like Mitch Brown really feel comfy sharing his full id hopefully will encourage others to do the identical and present males that they are often allies and proud allies, and that is not one thing they should draw back from.”
Brown will go to the Western Bulldogs’ AFLW program on Thursday forward of the membership’s blockbuster Delight Spherical conflict with Essendon on the Whitten Oval on Friday night time.
Bulldogs defender Isabella Grant hailed Brown’s announcement as inspiring.
“For him to really feel secure is a little bit of a mirrored image on society,” Grant stated.
“Hopefully, he evokes younger individuals to really feel the identical.
“Even older generations who grew up figuring out as a part of the LGBTQIA+ group, it was not secure in any respect.
“Not simply metaphorically, however bodily, it was unsafe.
“To know that we have gotten to that place the place we at the moment are is fairly particular, and it’s totally inspiring.”
AAP
