Today, on Wednesday May 17, the Sydney Swans supports IDAHOBIT.
IDAHOBIT was created in 2004 to raise awareness of the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTIQA+ people internationally. May 17 is significant as commemorates the date in 1990 that the World Health Organisation made the decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
LGBTIQA+ Pride is one of the key pillars on the club's Diversity Action Plan and the club also plays in the AFL's annual Pride Game against St.Kilda. This game was established between the two sides in 2016 to celebrate diversity and inclusion, and ensure everyone feels welcome at the football.
HSBC is the club's offical Pride Partner and together the Swans and HSBC celebrate diversity, with our shared values of respect and inclusion at the heart of everything both organisations do.
The club's AFLW team also participate in the AFLW Pride Round. Both these matches also provide the opportunity to listen, learn and highlight stories from the LGBTIQA+ community.
The Swans have also marched in the annual Mardi Gras parade for the past six years, becoming the first professional sporting team to do so in 2018.
Scott Dalby, Sydney Swans Executive General Manager of People and Culture, said professional sporting organisations such as the Swans can be a powerful, unifying force in equality and inclusion.
"Diversity is a strength. It is reflected in the people who work for us, the fans who support us and the broader community of Sydney which we represent. We will always strongly advocate in line with our values," Dalby said.
In 2023, the Swans will host the annual Pride Game at the SCG on Thursday June 8. In celebration of IDAHOBIT we have a special ticket offer for Pride Game. Click HERE for 20% off Category 2-5 reserved seats by using the code word PRIDE.
