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'Pretty appalling': LGBTI advocates slam James Faulkner 'joke'

Several prominent LGBTIQ+ groups and campaigners have spoken out in the wake of the James Faulkner Instagram controversy.

Fans and media interpreted a post he made, in which he said he was celebrating his 29th birthday with his “boyfriend”, as the star cricketer coming out as homosexual.

“Birthday dinner with the boyfriend (best mate!!!) @robjubbsta and my mother @roslyn_carol_faulkner #togetherfor5years,” he wrote.

The ‘best mate’ qualifier was edited into the post later, after the confusion became clear.

Angie Green, the founder and CEO of Stand Up Events, was interviewed by Gerard Whately on SEN, saying the whole situation was “pretty appalling”.

Australian cricketer James Faulkner has been slammed by prominent LGBTIQ+ activists, including footballer and Greens candidate Jason Ball. Pictures: Getty/AAP
Australian cricketer James Faulkner has been slammed by prominent LGBTIQ+ activists, including footballer and Greens candidate Jason Ball. Pictures: Getty/AAP

I think what he has done and I don’t think he intentionally meant to hurt anyone, but the reality is now that we’re in 2019 and I just don’t think ignorance is bliss is an excuse anymore,” she said.

“I think what people do have to remember is that may have been a harmless joke for some people but that has literally been crushing for others.

“To come out and say it was a joke is essentially to be honest pretty appalling and very disappointing.

“Sexuality is nothing to be joked about.”

Long-term campaigners speak out

Green was not the only member of the LGBTIQ+ community to speak out about the ill-advised post.

Veteran rights campaigner Rodney Croome issued a statement after the story broke, saying it was important not to make fun of LGBTIQ+ people coming out.

“Coming out is a difficult time for LGBTI people, so role models like elite sportspeople should be careful not to make fun of it,” he wrote in a statement.

“I welcome the fact that James Faulkner has clarified this was not his intention and that he supports the LGBTI community.

“The overwhelmingly positive response to James Faulkner’s ‘coming out’ sends a message to senior players who are actually gay that Australian cricket is well and truly ready for them to be open about who they are.”

Others were not as conciliatory.

Jason Ball, the first openly gay senior Australian Rules Footballer, slammed the entire scandal.

The Greens candidate for Higgins described the joke as “puerile locker room behaviour”.

“James Faulkner making a joke about being in a same-sex relationship may seem like a bit of fun to him and his teammates but the reality is that for thousands of young people struggling to come to terms with their sexuality, coming out is one of the hardest things they’ll ever do and this makes a mockery of that struggle,” Mr Ball said.

“It’s no wonder that we have so few out and proud men in the macho world of sport when being gay is still seen as something to be ridiculed.

“This type of puerile locker room behaviour is disappointing and just makes it harder for closeted players to have the courage to be themselves when their sexuality is turned into a punchline.”

Cricket Australia respond to LGBTI+ concerns

Cricket Australia issued a short statement on the scandal on Tuesday morning, saying the ‘do not consider it to be a joke’.

“Cricket Australia does not consider the social commentary this morning from James Faulkner to be a joke, nor does James,” the statement read.

“His comment was made as a genuine reflection of his relationship with his business partner, best friend and house mate of five years.

“He was not contacted for clarification before some outlets reported his Instagram post as an announcement of a homosexual relationship.

“James and CA are supportive of the LGBQTI community and recognises coming out can be an incredibly emotional time.

“The post was not in any way meant to make light of this and, though the support from the community was overwhelming and positive. Cricket Australia apologises for any unintended offence.”