Featured Image Credit: Instagram. Manly Digital
Topics: Hugh Jackman, Australia, LGBTQ
Stewart Perrie
Hugh Jackman has thrown his support behind the LGBTQIA+ community by wearing Manly's pride jersey.
The Sea Eagles have attracted headlines this week for all the wrong reasons after revealing the NRL club would be donning the new top for Thursday's clash with the Roosters.
Several Manly players have announced they won't be playing in the crucial match and are boycotting the jersey due to cultural or religions reasons.
While they might have shunned the club's move for inclusivity, it looks like it's got two big thumbs up from the Wolverine star.
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The Sea Eagles sent the A-lister the jersey two weeks ago, well before all the furore kicked off.
Jackman has taken a picture of himself wearing the top while pointing to the Gotcha4Life logo to support his friend, Gus Worland.
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The Sydney radio star has campaigned for ages to have Gotcha4Life linked to a match between the Roosters and the Sea Eagles, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The Daily Mail claims the rainbow jersey was also sent to Chris Hemsworth to promote.
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But they are just two of many, many, many people who have snapped up the top designed to highlight and celebrate diversity.
While Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau'atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley have refused to play tomorrow against the Roosters, fans have flocked to Manly's online store to buy the top.
It has been so successful that the jersey sold out in adult versions within 24 hours, according to The Guardian.
People were absolutely raving about the result.
One user said: "The pride jersey that @SeaEagles have released has already sold out . If that doesn’t show the amount of support that they have then I don’t know what will. Full credit to manly for doing this and respect to all the fans who purchased them ."
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Another added: "Here I am, filthy I missed out on buying some Sea Eagles merch that sold out. A timeline I never expected, but massive ups to the club for promoting inclusivity in the game. Hopefully more jump on board."
Thursday's match against the Roosters is crucial for Manly as the club is sitting just off the top eight and a win against the boys in red, white and blue would help their chances of playing in the finals.
However, those hopes have been severely diminished now that a large chunk of the team has bailed.
Sea Eagles legend Ian Roberts, who was the first rugby league player to come out as gay, was devastated by the move.
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"It's sad and uncomfortable. As an older gay man, this isn't unfamiliar. I did wonder whether there would be any religious pushback. That's why I think the NRL have never had a Pride round," Roberts said to The Daily Telegraph.
"I can promise you every young kid on the northern beaches who is dealing with their sexuality would have heard about this."