David Pocock, Australian Wallabies
The Wallabies, Australia’s national rugby union team, have teamed up with the Sydney Convicts, a gay-oriented rugby union club, in a campaign to promote diversity and combat homophobia. The players posed for a series of photos for This Is Oz, a combination photo and human rights site designed to fight homophobia.
The photos of the players are pretty cool and is another sign that rugby seems like an accepting sport. Englishman Ben Cohen is very gay-friendly, while 2009 King of the Hardwood winner David Williams was honored he won the hot jock contest from Outsports fans. Also, calendars like the “Gods of Football” unabashedly promote the hot players to a gay audience.
Some photos from the This Is Oz campaign:
David Pocock, Australian Wallabies.
Clayton Noble, Sydney Convicts
Al Baxter, Australia Wallabies
Hat tip to Jocko Homo.
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 5:32 AM
Great idea. Aussies are the coolest!
http://www.thisisoz.com.au/photo-gallery/
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 7:25 AM
So basically this is the same as an entire NFL team posing, in uniform (representing their team, their city, and the NFL), for an LGBT equality campaign.
Just another reason to love Rugby (and get it into the Olympics).
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 8:03 AM
Why are americans so scared to support the notion of gay athletes at any level?
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 9:25 AM
You don’t suppose the fact that one of the best ruggers in Aus history is openly gay might have affected attitudes do you? Who knows what could happen if even one major pro-sports athlete in this country stepped up to the plate and came out (not focusing on baseball with that metaphor obviously
). We will not see an Ian Roberts in the US until the air clears enough to make it physically and financially safe to come out IMO. But if some brave soul decides to volunteer I for one will be first in line to scream my support. Ahem, in a very manly fashion of course. 
And I am sure there will a few “screamers” with me.
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 11:24 AM
How cool is this!
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Hey! Thanks Guys! I Love Outsports!
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 6:50 PM
[...] Last week, a study came out that said in the UK, homophobia is rampant in sports, particularly soccer. Depressing news, and one that seemed to reaffirm the stereotype that sport culture and LGBT culture were mutually exclusive. But that’s why it’s so cool to see this media campaign coming out of Australia (many miles away from the UK, we know) showing that at least one rugby team isn’t a huge fan of homophobia. [...]
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 10:50 PM
sigh, i can’t find more pics of al baxter and his damn fine legs. where can i find fan sites for him and david pocock? they’ve have won my ever-lasting loyalties. thanks boys for supporting diversity in sports.
on Aug 19th, 2009 at 1:42 AM
Hey Michael:
Here are some 2009 photo galleries that might include them:
http://www.rugby.com.au/qantas_wallabies/photo_galleries/2009_test_season,131871.html?gallery=132517&x=6&y=15
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
thanks, jim, for the link and suggestion. will check it out. in the meantime, i found this incredible picture of al baxter, providing for many fantasies:
http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Waratahs+Surf+Life+Saving+Day+WMfx7yjzJfrl.jpg
i swear his legs must be declared tree trunks and properly appreciated by all of us who like a man with strong legs!
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 7:15 PM
@sportinlife
What about Greg Louganis? Of course he did not come out until after he was no longer competing but Americans and the world alike cannot deny that he was one of the best divers to ever have existed! Hopefully the Aussie Matt Mitcham will win again and gain some respect for the community in the coming years!
on Aug 22nd, 2009 at 8:22 PM
First, these are big players–not the minors; our national team. Mortlock (shaven head) is captain and holds several records in his long career..
Secondly, It does look good, seeing people in sports and elsewhere recognise that gay people exist, mix with them, and not all that different. These players know gay people–it shows in their comfort.
Thirdly, Australians, New Zealanders, and western Euros carry less fear with them and this includes sports.
on Aug 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 PM
This is very difficult for a New Zealander to say , but I have to admit that I am very proud of our neighbours . It is absolutely wonderful to see a national sports team whose members have the self confidence to stand up/speak out on the issue of homophobia – I would love to see more sports teams take up the challenge
on Aug 25th, 2009 at 1:09 PM
I cried, when I saw this campaign. There were tears of happiness, knowing that we’re gaining greater acceptance in society. But there were also tears of frustration, knowing that American counterparts to this campaign would probably not have American sports figures taking part.
on Sep 6th, 2009 at 6:19 AM
I hate to be a sceptic… but please see the following article:
http://actgay.e-p.net.au/home/news/251-footy-show-jumps-on-board-with-this-is-oz
The point to note here is:
However, gay advocate Gary Burns, who has filed a complaint about the skit with the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, said: “Channel Nine have tried to whitewash my complaint and they may well have succeeded, with the Convicts’ and ACON’s help. Nine can now say, ‘See, we’ve made amends.’ I want a more long-term remedy, including a public apology. Radio station 2UE have not vilified gay men since I sued them – The Footy Show will go back to doing so after taking part in this stunt.”