In the lead up to Pride Game at the SCG between the Sydney Swans and St Kilda on Saturday night we learn more about the passion of some of the members of the Rainbow Swans.

Throughout the week on sydneyswans.com.au we will bring you profile pieces on some of the members that make up the club’s official LGBTIQ supporter group.

The latest member we caught up with is Raya Darcy.

When did you start supporting the Swans?
In 2003. My brother in-law invited me to his 50^th birthday. He didn't want a party, he didn't want presents. He wanted his family to come with him to a Swans game. So we went along. Dress in red and white, he said. So I did. But it was a cold night, and I wore I big black overcoat. When we got there I was somewhat horrified to discover that I had accidentally dressed in the opposition colours - it was Swans v Essendon at ANZ stadium. No matter, the Swans won, and it was glorious. I was hooked. I became a member the following year. I have moved from Sydney to Melbourne since, but I have been a member ever since, and have been to every game in my home town since.

Why did you begin supporting the Swans?
I realised very quickly that the Swans were much more than merely a football team. They - we - were a family. I am part of that family, and part of the Blood culture. What a team, and what a culture! Whenever I am asked, in Melbourne, why I support the Swans, I talk about the Bloods culture. Sure, I am originally from Sydney, but more importantly, Sydney is a team, and a club, that I am part of, and which plays with everything that we have. Heart and soul. Never give up. Stand up for what is right, and never let your brothers and sisters down. This is what I love about the Swans. This is my team.

What has been your favourite memory of supporting the Swans?
This is a hard one - so many memories. Perhaps the most memorable was the Semi Final against Geelong in 2005, when Nick Davis came to save us. I bought a new flag on my way into the stadium, and waved it enthusiastically during the game that it seemed like we were going to lose. After doing so much to be there! At 3/4 time I was so devastated that I had to go for a despairing walk to try and do something with my stress, and I couldn't stand how glib the Geelong fans were becoming. But suddenly I heard a huge roar through those concrete walls, and knew that something had happened. I rushed back to my seat, and witnessed Nick Davis perform another three miracles. And we won! And the stand shook so hard I thought the SCG was going to come crashing down with all of us jumping up and down so hard. And I sang and sang and sang the song and waved my flag all the way home. I took that same flag to every game, including the 2012 Grand Final. For everything that the 2012 GF had - from Goodes' knee, to Teddy's foot, to Hanners' selfless acts, to Mal's bookend goals - to the way that the team played through *everything* to win. My son, sitting on the other side of the G from me for that Granny, said he found me in the crowd because he recognised that "old" flag. I retired that old flag after that win, and is one of my most prized possessions, representing so much about how much I love my team, and what we are capable of.

Who are your favourite players and why?
Always such an impossible question. My heart seems to have a little place in it for every player. I always seem to like those who fly under the radar, though. Of course I love Adam Goodes - favourite player ever. What an absolute legend he is. But also, in no particular order, Amon Buchanan, Nick Newman, Brett Kirk, Nick Smith, Isaac Heeney, Dane Rampe, AJ, Micky O, Danners (I've always called him that rather than Hanners), Lukie Parker, Benny McGlynn, and Tom Papley.

What is it you most love about supporting the Swans?
That I most love? That my fellow supporters are amazing, wonderful people, and my team, when we lose, use that as momentum to get back up, harder than ever. Even though footy is about winning (of course) in some ways it's more about who we are as a club, and how we go about maintaining that culture of decency, honesty and integrity. Winning is just a brilliant bonus. This season, losing the first 6, and then coming back to show everyone who we really are, has been amazing. Even if we don't make the Granny; even if we don't make the finals, I will be so proud of my team for showing that, when the going gets tough, we can respond and show just what we are really made of.

What does Pride Game mean to you?
The Swans, and LGBTI, are two of my favourite things. It is amazing to me that I can be so lucky as to be part of a team that has been part of the Pride Game for the last two years. For too many years I tried to scout out other "out" supporters at games, with no luck. One part of my life - being a Swans supporter, was brilliant, but the other felt like I was only half living my life. I felt like I had to leave half of myself at home when I went to a game. The Pride Game recognises the importance of equality in AFL: that all people - players and supporters - have the right to be equal. We are all part of the game, and we all deserve to be able to be who we are. Player or supporter: the Pride Game shouts out loud and proud, that no matter what your sexuality, no matter how queer you are, you will be supported. The Pride Game sends a message to the clubs, the players, the supporters and the general community. Bigotry and intolerance will not be tolerated, at any level. Supporters can be queer and proud. Maybe one day we will have an out player, and they will come out knowing that they have the support of all. I love my Swans only even more, for their support of the Pride Game. This is who we are. This is what we are willing to do to support our people and our community. You can be who you are, and we will wrap our arms around you and support you. This is what the Bloods culture is.

What does being a member of the Rainbow Swans mean to you?
Everything changed about being a passionate, but lonely and queer Swans supporter when I found the Rainbow Swans. Being part of the Rainbow Swans has been amazing. As an out lesbian, being part of my people and my team, at the same moment in time, is a dream come true. My Swans Pride Scarf has become my favourite possession. It is such a powerful symbol of what the Swans mean to me. I bleed Swans, and to me, my Pride Scarf represents my heart, my soul, my pride, my club, and my team. Carn the Bloods!