Ian Roberts, who is still, unbelievably, the first and only openly-gay Australian professional rugby league player, sent a letter earlier this month to NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg, asking him to make a public statement in support of same sex marriage. In it, he urged the league not to “miss this moment in history”.

Greenberg replied to the letter, stressing the right for Australians to make up their own minds, before adding: “But one of the key pillars of rugby league is inclusiveness – and the game has a duty to back up its policy with action.

“There is a place for everyone in rugby league. It might be as a junior, as a volunteer, as a match official or as an NRL player. And we need to treat everyone equally both on and off the field and that’s why we will publicly support the same-sex marriage proposal.”

Roberts told Fairfax he was proud of Greenberg and the league, saying “I had tears in my eyes when I read the response.”

Adding further weight to the league’s support of the campaign is today’s announcement that unlikely game-day entertainment Macklemore will be performing his same-sex equal rights anthem ‘Same Love’.

Hopefully the song will be received in the loving spirit it is intended on the day, but there are no guarantees. This is, after all, a footy grand final – and although we’d like to feel as if our society is further along than it is at the moment – nothing is a done deal. So, regardless of the response, remember this is a big deal.

The NRL grand final happens this Sunday night. Football — and (hopefully) human rights — will be the winner on the day.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine