Australian National Rugby League (NRL) player Adam Doueihi, a key member of the Wests Tigers rugby team in Sydney, has found himself in the midst of controversy after labeling a pro-LGBTQ+ social media post as “embarrassing.” The incident unfolded when Doueihi responded to a social media post by the English Premier League, offering guidance on discussing LGBTQ+ inclusion.
In a now-deleted comment, the 25-year-old Doueihi wrote “embarrassing post” in response to the English Premier League’s suggestions on how to be good allies and engage in healthy conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. The post encouraged phrases like “We’ve come so far! How can we make sure we keep it up?” and “It’s so great to see how many athletes feel able to be themselves,” rather than dismissive remarks like “Rainbow Laces don’t matter, we’ve already come so far” or “Sport is about performance, we shouldn’t care about identity.” This post was part of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, promoting LGBTQ+ support and inclusion in sports by encouraging players to wear rainbow-colored laces.
Although no formal investigation was initiated, the Wests Tigers took notice and issued a “please-explain” to Doueihi. The NRL player clarified that he did not intend to offend the LGBTQ+ community and deleted the comment when he realized it might be perceived as homophobic. Doueihi explained that he found it “embarrassing” for the Premier League to instruct people on how to speak about the LGBTQ+ community.
A representative for the Wests Tigers emphasized their commitment to inclusivity, aiming to create a safe space for both fans and players.
This incident is not the first time Doueihi has been vocal about LGBTQ+ matters. In October, he publicly supported a Catholic girls’ school’s decision to limit students from bringing same-sex partners to their year 12 formal. As a devout Catholic, Doueihi expressed frustration at what he perceived as mockery of his religion in society and encouraged people to speak up in defense of their beliefs.
While Doueihi’s comments have sparked controversy and debate, they highlight the ongoing discussions about LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity in sports and society at large.