'It is disappointing that we still use that language' - Megan Schutt slams James Pattinson, Marcus Stoinis for homophobic slur

Australia women’s team star Megan Schutt has come down hard on male cricketers James Pattinson and Marcus Stoinis for using homophobic slur in recent times. In the just-concluded Big Bash League (BBL), Stoinis had invited criticism from all around for the slur directed at his Australia teammate Kane Richardson.

He was later fined AUD7500 for his derogatory comments and had also issued an apology for the same. The incident happened when the Melbourne Stars faced the Melbourne Renegades on January 4. The allrounder had pleaded guilty to the Cricket Australia’s code of conduct level two charge of using personally abusive language.

On the other hand, Pattinson had done something similar during a Sheffield Shield clash. The Victorian fast-bowler was found guilty of a code of conduct breach for personal abuse of a player whilst fielding during the clash against Queensland. He was later banned from playing in the first Test against Pakistan at home.

Megan Schutt slams Aussie duo

Just a few weeks after those objectionable comments from Stoinis and Pattinson, Megan Schutt has slammed both the players. Reacting to the sanctions against the two Australian cricketers, Schutt, who has been an advocate of LGBTQ rights, said she was disappointed that such (homophobic) language is still used.

“I think it’s important to talk about it,” Schutt was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald. “I wasn’t angry as much as I was disappointed, which is such a bad 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 di****ad?”

Schutt further said that she has never been attacked for being a lesbian before stating that men tend to face more attacks for being gay than women. Schutt, however, had faced several vitriolic attacks online after she came out. She eventually got married to her girlfriend Jess Hollyoake in March 2019.

“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 because they’re going to have gay friends, whether they’re out to them or not,” she said.

“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?.

“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 same-sex marriage is having a good time right now so we need to stick together more than ever,” added Schutt.