Megan upset with James, Marcus’ homophobic slurs
Sydney, Feb. 16: A fine swing bowler for Australia’s women’s cricket team and a champion of same-sex marriage, Megan Schutt is upset with her male counterparts James Pattinson and Marcus Stoinis’ recent homophobic slurs.
She wants men to be more receptive towards homosexuality as they are “attacked” more for being gay. Heading into the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup as the number one bowler in the format, Schutt faced a volley of vitriolic attacks after she came out as a lesbian a few years ago.
Undeterred, the straighttalking cricketer went on to marry her girlfriend Jess Hollyoake, finding happiness after being called a paedophile and asked to go to hell. “It was a pretty horrible thing. I remember putting out a rainbow flag (it represents LGBT pride) on our balcony and Jess didn’t
want to have that up there at the time. She said, what if someone targets our house because of that?” Schutt was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.
“And I said, ‘We can’t hide, this is a time to show support for everyone else around us’. No one who is trying to fight for samesex marriage is having a good time right now so we need to stick together more than ever.”
She was asked about the recent incidents in which two Australian players, Pattinson and Stoinis, were sanctioned for homophobic slurs on the field. According to her, these incidents highlight the need for further awareness and education.
“I think it’s important to talk about it. I wasn’t angry as much as I was disappointed, which is such a dad thing to say. It’s disappointing that we still use that language, and I don’t believe that those boys actually are homophobic, I truly don’t.
“And they wouldn’t be saying it with that intent, but they’re still using the wrong words. Why can’t you just call someone a dickhead? Schutt said men are attacked more for being gay.
“I haven’t been attacked for being a lesbian but I know men that have been for being gay.
“And the fact that it’s always men that are still using those derogatory terms is the most disappointing part of it.”
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