St Kilda Football Club invites members and supporters to join players and staff in marching under a club banner in the Midsumma Pride March on Sunday 31 January.
2016 marks the 21st anniversary of the annual march held in the Saints’ Bayside heartland, which recognises and celebrates Victoria’s GLBTI community.
St Kilda identifies itself as an inclusive organisation that embodies the spirit of the suburb from where it was born, where people from all walks of life have always been welcome to come to work, play, create and give-back.
An active supporter of diversity and inclusiveness, St Kilda Football Club is set to host the AFL’s first ever pride game against the Sydney Swans in Round 21 this year.
In addition to supporting the GLBTI community through a number of initiatives such as the Pride March, the Saints also embrace gender equity and multiculturalism as important planks to deliver on its key value of belonging.
CEO Matt Finnis said St Kilda FC believes that great things happen when people feel a strong sense of belonging, yet the unfortunate reality is that people who identify as GLBTI haven’t always felt welcome at the footy.
“It is no coincidence that the major annual event celebrating diversity in Victoria occurs in St Kilda, and our club is proud to continue our involvement with this hallmark event,” Finnis said.
We believe everyone should feel welcome, included and equal - this belief is at the heart of our How I Want To Be spirit and it is key to our values as an organisation.
“We encourage members and supporters to belong to this cause with us by wearing their colours with pride and marching alongside our players and staff on Sunday 31 January.
Please join us and wear your Saints’ colours with pride:
When: 1pm, Sunday 31 January
Where: Fitzroy St, St Kilda (assembly point adjacent to St Kilda Bowls Club on corner Fitzroy Street and Lakeside Drive. The march will finish in Catani Gardens).
Details: BBQ from 12pm in the assembly precinct.
