Dear Editor,

I believe that Katie Crane, who withdrew her sponsorship from an NTAFL club because she disagrees with the Pride round, should be applauded for standing up for what she believes in.

One can see why it is very difficult for people in this day and age to have another point of view because immediately they are subject to ridicule and even told they are promoting hatred because of their views.

It seems that some groups, or people, can’t accept others having a different view without attacking them.

Stating a different view is not about a personal dislike of people but a disagreement with their views, which in a country like a democratic Australia, one would hope is still covered by the right to free speech.

I will not be attending Pride games as I am on the public record as not supporting some of their views, e.g. same-sex marriage, and to attend would therefore be hypocritical.

If same sex people want to live together that is their business, and I support that being given some legal protection as a partnership, but not called a marriage which for me will always be between a man and a woman.

But if some of the criticism aimed at Ms Crane is about inclusiveness, then why not have an ‘Inclusive’ round, if that is what the AFL is preaching?

This would say that no matter who you are, what religion you follow, what ethnicity, whether you are male or female, if you have a disability, what political views you have, whether you belong to Pride or have alternate views, or whatever, you are still welcome to participate in the AFL.

Perhaps we could call it the ‘Territory Proud’ round and we could just wave Territory flags and wear Territory colours. The Pride round is not inclusive, it is discriminatory as only one group and therefore one point of view is promoted by the AFL. That is not inclusive.

As an aside, I remember years ago we would go to the footy at the weekend so we could, for a couple of hours, get away from all the worries at home, at work or in the world.

Now when we go to the footy, and the AFL brings all those worries to the football.

Gerry Wood, Howard Springs

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