Geelong changes historic logo to rainbow for first time ever
Geelong Football Club approved its first-ever change to the club logo, transforming it to rainbow colours for its inaugural Pride jumper.
Geelong Football Club has launched its first Pride jumper and made a historic change to its logo, shifting the iconic shield from navy and white to rainbow colours. The move came after Gill Rea and her partner Gab Tyacke, lifelong Geelong supporters, formed the Cats Pride Group ahead of the first AFLW season.
When Rea saw the Pride jumper, she cried. Rea came out in the 1970s during a difficult time with no out role models in sport.
Seeing AFLW players run out in rainbow colours represented decades of cultural change. The Pride Group is now an official supporter group that has created a safe space for LGBTQIA+ fans.
A trans woman who spotted their banner at a game started attending matches and now brings her wife. The group has also joined the men's cheer squad behind the goals to increase visibility at those matches.
- Navy and white to rainbow
- Logo change
- Over 50 years
- Rea's support tenure
- Kardinia Park
- Club venue
- 1970s
- Era of Rea's coming out
Why it mattersIt signals to LGBTQIA+ young people and older community members that they belong in mainstream sport and can be themselves without fear.
AustraliaAustralian sporting clubs are increasingly embracing Pride initiatives, making participation more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ players and fans.
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