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Article by Cameron Spink
Jason Akermanis has potentially opened the floodgates with his statement “If a player wants to out himself, then I say good luck. But I believe the world of AFL footy is not ready for it. To come out is unnecessary for a lot of reasons....” in his article in the Herald Sun this week. He is, of course, writing in relation to homosexual footballers revealing their sexual orientation.
At first instance Akermanis’ comments seem counter-intuitive. It has only been recently that the AFL has brought out advertisements in support of International Day Against Homophobia with high-ranking players voicing their encouragement for the cause. As usual Aker has a sense of occasion and sensationalism and taken the opportunity to give his own opinion.
Maybe Akermanis was just calling it as he saw it and legitimately believes that “it would cause discomfort in [the AFL] environment should someone declare himself gay”. Perhaps, like in the past, Akermanis was merely speculating his opinion with no actual evidence. But that is irrelevant to the contention of my article. The issue with Jason Akermanis’ article was the response. As soon as Aker’s article was printed the AFL moved quickly to distance themselves from the Bulldogs star. Andrew Demetriou, AFL CEO, stated “[Akermanis’ opinion has] got no credence no substance, nobody believes it, we're in the 21st century and let’s get with it”. It is obvious what position the AFL has on this issue.
In response to Akermanis’ article gay activist, Gary Burns, has threatened to lodge a discrimination complaint with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. At last the full danger of the Jason Akermanis’ article has been revealed.
It appears, for those of us who believe that homosexuality is against God’s intentions for us, are the ones who should remain in the closet and keep our opinions in the dark. People can argue all they like that by seeking homosexual “rights” they are creating equality. This is clearly not the case. The road that Australian society is walking leads to the silence of protestors. Homosexuality is fine, but your opinion is illegal and immoral!
We have become the hunted, the ones who have to cover our tracks, lest someone finds out that we are Christians and believe in a Holy Book that condemns homosexuality (among other things). "How dare we try to impose our own sense of morality onto others!" Well how dare secular society tell us we cannot have a perspective on a particular issue! It is one thing to claim an opinion is wrong; it is another thing to stop people from having it.
The ramifications of his article are much more than Jason Akermanis could ever perceive. By putting pen to paper he has opened up a rift between those seeking “equal” rights for homosexuals and those in danger of having an opinion. However, activists are not wanting equality, nor is it what they have now. Homosexuality has become an untouchable subject where only one position matters and every other opinion is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Homophobia has become a dirty word, a disgusting attitude and a slight on Christianity. So the question facing Christians today is “to come out or not to come out...?”.
Click here to go to Jason Akermanis' Herald Sun Article.
Click here to go to Andrew Demetriou's response.
Click here to go to the news on the potential discrimination complaint.
Are we in danger of being muzzled? Have your say on our forum.
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