NRL voices support for marriage equality following appeal from Ian Roberts

The NRL has thrown its support behind the Yes campaign for marriage equality after Rugby legend Ian Roberts appealed to the organisation to take a stand on the issue.

In 1995 Roberts became the first high-profile Australian sports person and first rugby footballer in the world to come out to the public as gay.

Last week Roberts wrote to Todd Greenberg, the CEO of the National Rugby League, and implored him “not to miss a moment in history”.

Greenberg responded saying that while they respected the right of every Australian to have their own opinion on the issue, the NRL supported inclusiveness.

“But one of the key pillars of rugby league is inclusiveness – and the game has a duty to back up its policy with action,” Greenberg said. “There is a place for everyone in rugby league. It might be as a junior, as a volunteer, as a match official or as an NRL player. And we need to treat everyone equally both on and off the field and that’s why we will publicly support the same-sex marriage proposal.”

The AFL publicly announced their support for marriage equality back in 2014.

OIP Staff