Do we still need a Pride game?

[saintspremiers]

Same sex marriage is finally legal, so that battle for equality is done.

I get the issue of discrimination is important, but does our supporter base buy into the Pride theme, or does it actually cause a smaller crowd then a non themed game??

[IluvHarvey]

Same sex marriage is finally legal, so that battle for equality is done.

I get the issue of discrimination is important, but does our supporter base buy into the Pride theme, or does it actually cause a smaller crowd then a non themed game??

I don't think the Pride Game is around equality its more based on inclusion, which is entirely different.
I also think this is bigger than the two teams involved, it is a small token of the AFL stance.
Personally, I think it is great and I'm proud the Saints are involved.

The same Sex Marriage vote was just a very small step in a marathon to move to an inclusive society.

[thejiggingsaint]

Same sex marriage is finally legal, so that battle for equality is done.

I get the issue of discrimination is important, but does our supporter base buy into the Pride theme, or does it actually cause a smaller crowd then a non themed game??

I don't think the Pride Game is around equality its more based on inclusion, which is entirely different.
I also think this is bigger than the two teams involved, it is a small token of the AFL stance.
Personally, I think it is great and I'm proud the Saints are involved.

The same Sex Marriage vote was just a very small step in a marathon to move to an inclusive society.

100% correct! Kudos colleague!

[saynta]

35 to 40 % of the population were against same sex marriage and voted that way, whereas I would think 90 to 95% of the population are in favour of an inclusive society so I don't think the Saints are alienating that many fans.

Probably attracting more new paying members than those dropping off.

So good idea imho.

[parkeysainter]

If it brings in more $ and members (same as AFLW will next year) then why not...its only 1 game of the entire AFL year so its not a big deal. There are some very rich gay people out there so we might get a few onboard the Sainter train if we do this every year!

[The_Dud]

Same sex marriage is finally legal, so that battle for equality is done.

I get the issue of discrimination is important, but does our supporter base buy into the Pride theme, or does it actually cause a smaller crowd then a non themed game??

I don't think the Pride Game is around equality its more based on inclusion, which is entirely different.
I also think this is bigger than the two teams involved, it is a small token of the AFL stance.
Personally, I think it is great and I'm proud the Saints are involved.

The same Sex Marriage vote was just a very small step in a marathon to move to an inclusive society.

+1

[resaintlee]

Same sex marriage is finally legal, so that battle for equality is done.

I get the issue of discrimination is important, but does our supporter base buy into the Pride theme, or does it actually cause a smaller crowd then a non themed game??

Perhaps you have explained why we still need a Pride Game. You are suggesting there are Saints supporters who are not Pride Game supporters. I would suggest the aim is to continue building on what has so far been achieved. Let's not drop the ball now...

[SuperDuper]

Same sex marriage is finally legal, so that battle for equality is done.

I get the issue of discrimination is important, but does our supporter base buy into the Pride theme, or does it actually cause a smaller crowd then a non themed game??

Still yet to see an AFL player out of the closet.
Please do not say that gay players do not exist.

So..yes.. we need the pride game

[stonecold]

I'm sure many viewers will enjoy Tom Hickey being involved!!!!!

[SemperFidelis]

100% in favour of the Pride Game and it continuing for the foreseeable future.

[IluvHarvey]

I'm sure many viewers will enjoy Tom Hickey being involved!!!!!

Seriously? Do you have to bring this to every thread? Please give it a rest or keep it to the relevant threads.

[stonecold]

I'm sure many viewers will enjoy Tom Hickey being involved!!!!!

Seriously? Do you have to bring this to every thread? Please give it a rest or keep it to the relevant threads.

It is relevant, you'll work it out!!!!!

[Yorkeys]

Pride has been known as the worst of the seven deadly sins - if you believe in sin. It is also a group of lions like that Brisbane team. Gay Pride I understand refers to a stance against violence and discrimination against the LGBTIQ community. But a Gay Pride match is probably a marketing problem at the moment. I really like IluvHarvey's take as inclusion being the theme. So perhaps we don't need a "pride" game as we are Saints without sin and certainly not Brisbane, however if it were called, say, the Inclusive Game it might imply more groups than the LGBTIQ Community and lose focus. So hard to be really inclusive and concise eh, what colour scarfe could possibly be the symbol.

[chico2001]

Keep it in until people vote with their feet. These things usually run a course and then it fizzles out and onto the next cause.

[Enrico_Misso]

Some of these themed rounds are getting a bit tiresome and overblown - especially pre-game entertainment, singing the national anthem, presenting cups and making speeches after the game like it is a Granny!

Ultimately they are all just H&A games and each counts 4 points regardless of if the cause flushed out a visit from the PM or some other dignitary.
Just small stepping stones to the finals.

If you randomly pluck out some rounds and attribute a special cause to them e.g. gay rights, dreamtime, ANZAC, good friday, breast cancer, MND, farmers round (WTF is that about!)
- then why not attribute each H&A game to some cause or other as each game has equal weight.

We could then have
198 causes with
396 commemorative scarves,
396 specially designed jumpers,
198 anthems,
198 pre-match activities,
198 cups presented and
198 speeches.
All before September.

A season to remember!

[Life Long Saint]

35 to 40 % of the population were against same sex marriage and voted that way, whereas I would think 90 to 95% of the population are in favour of an inclusive society so I don't think the Saints are alienating that many fans.

I’m not sure how 90 to 95% of people can be in favour of an inclusive society and have 35 to 40% of them against same sex marriage. Surely that would be more accurate to say 60 to 65% of the population favour an inclusive society. Unless they don’t understand the definition of inclusive.

[minneapolis]

I am all for it and think it should continue.

It is one more way to define the inclusiveness of the Saints supporter.

[saynta]

35 to 40 % of the population were against same sex marriage and voted that way, whereas I would think 90 to 95% of the population are in favour of an inclusive society so I don't think the Saints are alienating that many fans.

I’m not sure how 90 to 95% of people can be in favour of an inclusive society and have 35 to 40% of them against same sex marriage. Surely that would be more accurate to say 60 to 65% of the population favour an inclusive society. Unless they don’t understand the definition of inclusive.

I don't agree with you there, but hey, what's new about that.