Australian professional footballer, Grace Wilson, who plays for Adelaide United and the Young Matildas, has received praise for their courage in coming out as non-binary, being the first in the country to do so.
On Friday, the goalie revealed that they identify as non-binary. Their teammates, management, and club staff have shown widespread support.
“That was the initial stage of my journey, and I received an incredible response,” Wilson expressed.
The girls responded kindly and I received a hug from each player. As soon as I mentioned it, there were cheers and applause – it was a truly heartwarming moment.
“I experienced a great sense of comfort and encouragement, making it one of the most enjoyable feelings.”
Wilson is considered a bright talent and was last month selected in the Young Matildas squad to take part in the AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup later this month in Uzbekistan.
Wilson stated that their gender identity does not align with the traditional societal norms of being either male or female. They expressed that publicly announcing this fact was a tremendous relief for them.
Wilson, the chair of Pride Cup, explained to Holly Ransom that individuals who identify as non-binary each have unique experiences. Wilson expressed that as a child, gender norms were not a concept they recognized, but as they got older, they were taught to conform to societal expectations of what was appropriate for girls and boys.
I experienced a powerful feeling when someone used the pronouns ‘they/them’ to refer to me for the first time. It showed me the impact of small changes. I felt a sense of liberation and was reminded of my desire for freedom.
There may be other players in the ALW who identify as non-binary, but Wilson is the first to come out publicly. AFLW star Darcy Vescio became the second AFLW player to come out as non-binary in 2021, following in the footsteps of Tori Groves-Little.
Adelaide United has actively promoted gender equality and showed support for Josh Cavallo, a male player who came out in 2021. He became the lone openly gay man playing in a top-level league at the time.
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Last year, Canadian midfielder Quinn made a significant impact at the global level by becoming the first transgender and non-binary individual to compete in a World Cup, whether it be for the men’s or women’s team.
On Friday, it was stated by Adelaide United Football Club that they are proud to lead the charge in promoting equality in both on-field and off-field settings.
Marius Zanin, Adelaide’s head of football, expressed his full support for Grace and praised their courage in publicly embracing their true identity.
“We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all individuals at Adelaide United, regardless of their gender identity.”
Source: theguardian.com
