Barriers still exist for Australia’s LGBTQI+ community when participating in sport, according to recent research commissioned by Pantene Australia ahead of Mardi Gras 2021.
Tameka Yallop has joined Matildas teammate Katrina Gorry to share her story for Pantene’s Ribbon of Strength campaign. The video distributed with the campaign saw Yallop open up about a moment in her career where she experienced homophobia.
Yallop said the consequence of a conversation with an agent as a young teenager was a fear that coming out would impact her football career.
“I was under the impression that if I answered this wrong it could change my football career. I might not get to play overseas based on this one thing,” she said.
“I definitely decided to keep it to myself for a long time, until I realised that it shouldn’t be like that and I kind of had my own independence.
“And I guess strength in numbers with more people sort of coming out as well, that gave me confidence.”
In time, Yallop said conversations became easier and change happened “when you realise you’re not the only one”.
“It doesn’t need to be sort of a big public statement, it should just be the norm.”
Treating everyone equally, regardless of differences in backgrounds or cultures, was the reason Yallop provided as to why the Matildas were “like a second family”.
“So I think the environment that we have in the national team is why you see so many players trying to play until old age, like myself.
“It’s definitely an environment that I love being in and I kind of just want to make sure that there’s more environments like that.”
A number of Matildas players have come out individually as being in a same sex relationship. This has worked hand in hand with the support of the organisation in Yallop’s eyes.
“I think whilst it’s us as the individuals who have taken the first step, we’ve also been supported by the organisation as well, which definitely helps create the environment for the culture.”
Yallop pointed out that having genuine conversations was a key to keep moving forward.
“There’s more talk about having same sex relationships and same sex families and having children, and it’s more easily spoken about, I think [that] has been the key thing to me.
“I think it’s less that people try to dodge the topic or not respond when it is brought up and in most cases it’s brought up by people and spoken about happily.
“So I think that’s been one of the biggest changes that I’ve seen.
“And I’ll take a flow on effect from that, is continuing that movement to hear more positive talk about it.”
Yallop said sport was able to provide the opportunity to build a network before coming out or making a life changing move.
“[Soccer] definitely gives you the opportunity to build a safe network before you come out or before you change your life in some way.
“I think you can build that network and build strength, I guess, as well before you do take those steps.”
In partnership with the Matildas, Pantene has launched the third phase of Ribbon of Strength in the hope of inspiring more LGBTQI+ people to participate in team sport.
“You can check out their Instagram (@PanteneANZ) and you can get the special edition ribbon of strength, which is pretty cool,” Yallop said.
“I encourage people to check that out.”
