Key Takeaways:
- The parents of six-year-old school children were told their kids must wear pride T-shirts in order to take part in an A-League halftime game.
- Parents complained that pre-teens should be “kept out of social and cultural matters.”
- The children were not being forced to wear the jerseys and could play another day if they didn’t want to.
Parents of six-year-old school children were recently informed that their kids must wear pride T-shirts to take part in an A-League halftime game. The registration form read that children participating in half-time small sided games must wear a specially designed pride T-shirt. This statement caused many parents to voice their disapproval of pre-teens being forced into “social and cultural matters.” Some parents were advised that their children would be banned from playing if they did not wear the shirts, while others were given the option to participate on a different day.
Melbourne Victory’s Response
The Club said that the children were not being forced to wear the jerseys and could play another day if they didn’t want to. The spokesperson for the club stated that, “This game is a celebration of LGBTI+ participation in sport, and we have put processes in place to ensure those who are not comfortable to participate in the day as a whole will have the option to participate in another match day they feel comfortable participating in.”
While this decision to wear pride T-shirts was meant to promote the safety and inclusion of LGBTQI+ persons in sports, it has caused a significant backlash among some parents. It is possible that events like this could continue to divide communities on social and cultural issues, even as organizations seek to promote acceptance and inclusivity.
FAQ
Q: Was the decision to wear pride T-shirts mandatory? A: The registration form required that children participating in the halftime game wear pride T-shirts, but the club stated that the children were not being forced to wear the jerseys and could play another day if they didn’t want to.
Q: Why did some parents object to the decision? A: Some parents believed that six-year-olds should be kept out of social and cultural matters and should not be used as “moving billboards” for a particular message.