Southern Star blazing the trail for diversity in sport

As an openly gay athlete, Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars Vice-Captain Alex Blackwell knows just how powerful words can be.

Blackwell has experienced homophobia in sport and is intent on ensuring sport is a safe place for all participants – whether they are gay or not.

“My overall experience of being a gay athlete has been positive but there was one moment in 2012 when a single off-hand comment made me feel like cricket didn't want someone like me. I was completely crushed,” Blackwell explained

Blackwell represented Cricket Australia in this year's Mardi Gras parade on the “anti-homophobia in sport” float, leading the parade alongside openly gay Olympic Swimmer Daniel Kowalski.

“It was a really proud moment for me to lead the Mardi Gras parade in my baggy green. 

"This cap is symbolic of Australian sporting culture and for me to wear it leading the Mardi Gras as a proud gay athlete hopefully encourages all young LGBTQI athletes to believe sport is a place for them too."

A veteran of 196 international matches, Blackwell came out as openly gay in 2012 and has been an LGBTQI advocate since.

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(above) LGBTQI advocates Elyse Vilani, Alex Blackwell and Greg Matthews celebrate with a pride march participant // Getty Images

A recent international "Out on the Fields" study found 80 per cent of respondents, gay and straight, had witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport while a quarter of gay and lesbian athletes had received verbal threats against them.

“The majority of sportspeople have experienced or witnessed homophobia and this deeply saddens me. I’ve never hidden who I am, but I chose to go public so that I can help make cricket a better place for gay athletes and a place where other male and female gay cricketers can feel comfortable to be themselves."

“It was also about celebrating diversity and creating a strong and positive impact on sport.”

The 31-year-old has played international cricket for over a decade and believes diversity plays a major role in the team ethos.

“Team performance is better with diversity. There has been a shift in the corporate world and diversity is now a critical business issue. Sport is following suit which is great to see.”

Cricket Australia, along with the NRL, AFL, ARU and FFA, signed an agreement in April 2014 in the lead up to the Bingham Cup (the gay Rugby World Cup) which was a pledge to eliminate homophobia in sport.

"Cricket Australia signing that document made me feel that I am not alone... that Cricket Australia also wants to improve the culture of inclusion and respect so that gay athletes can be themselves and strive to the highest levels of their sport."