Sports Talk: Raising the Rainbow Flag

- Where Pride and sport collide over a Sunday roast and a beer.
- Where athletes share the stories usually saved for team drinks.
- Where our community comes together for laughs, honesty, and real conversation.
Sunday, March 15 - sorted.

This is the inaugural Sports Talk: Raising the Rainbow Flag — the first event in a new series celebrating LGBTQIA+ stories in sport. Five groundbreaking athletes take the stage for an afternoon of courage, celebration, and the kind of truth you only hear by being in the room.

This first edition includes an exclusive Meet & Greet created just for the inaugural event, and this exact lineup won’t be repeated in this format. Athletes, clubs, and community leaders are already securing their seats, and the energy around this first event will shape the future of the series — including June’s Pride topics and the guests we bring up next on stage.

Sports Talk is also proudly supporting the upcoming documentary Light – The Ian Roberts Story, helping bring this important film to completion and wider release through Documentary Australia. Donate directly here: https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/light-the-ian-roberts-story/ or by attending the event.

Featuring an all‑star panel of Australia’s most groundbreaking LGBTQIA+ athletes:

Ian Roberts (NRL) — the trailblazer who changed the face of world sport. As the first Australian to come out publicly while still competing in elite professional sport (and the second gay male athlete in the world to come out), Ian remains a global icon and the Godfather of LGBTQIA+ sport. @thisisianroberts @ianrobertsstory

Matthew Mitcham OAM (Diving) — the first openly gay male athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal. Known for his record‑setting performances and unforgettable Beijing 2008 victory, Matthew is one of Australia’s most iconic and beloved athletes. @matthewmitcham88

Ellia Green OAM (Rugby 7s & NRLW) — the first trans male athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal. A Rugby 7s Olympic champion, celebrated NRLW player, and proud Sydney Convicts team member, Ellia’s story continues to inspire athletes around the world. @elliagreen

Ash Golden (AFLW) — Coach, player, umpire, and leader of the Newtown Breakaways Women’s Program. With 23 years of football experience, over 250 games played, and more than 150 umpired, Ash is a driving force for equity in women’s sport. @newtownbreakaways

Hosted by Jackie Loeb — award‑winning comedian, actor, musician, and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Known for Full Frontal, Good News Week, multiple Comedy Channel specials, and NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Jackie brings sharp humour, sporting enthusiasm, and a referee’s eye for chaos to Australia’s newest LGBTQIA+ sporting conversation. @jackieloeb

Together, the panel will share what it was really like to come out in elite sport, and how watching each other’s journeys shaped their own. From the Godfather to the new kid on the block, expect honest reflections, unexpected reactions, and the kind of stories you only tell when you’re amongst family.

Stick around after the panel for the community Meet & Greet — your chance to chat, take a photo, and celebrate with the athletes who are still reshaping Australia’s sporting landscape.

What You Get

• A powerful 90‑minute panel discussion

• A community Meet & Greet with all athletes

• Photo opportunities

• Access to exclusive merchandise

• A Sunday arvo pub vibe with lunch specials

• Contribution to Light – The Ian Roberts Story

• A welcoming, all‑ages, community‑first event

Who This Is For

• LGBTQIA+ sports fans

• Community athletes

• Allies

• Families

• Anyone who loves a Sunday arvo pub vibe

• Anyone who wants to support queer stories in sport

Why Sports Talk Matters

As we move toward the Mardi Gras 50th Anniversary in 2028 and the 2030 Perth Gay Games, Sports Talk is igniting the conversation around LGBTQIA+ inclusion, representation, and visibility in sport — giving it the momentum it deserves. This panel offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from Australia’s trailblazing LGBTQIA+ athletes.

Our inaugural Sports Talk focuses on “firsts,” with future events set to explore themes including LGBTQIA+ Sporting Youth, Lesbian & Trans Women in Sport, Grassroots and Community Sports, and a special 'Men of Rugby' edition featuring out‑and‑proud international players.

Sports Talk exists to inspire the next generation: to encourage young athletes to stay in the sports they love, and to remind LGBTQIA+ athletes — out or not — that they are not alone. It’s a space where stories spark courage, where representation becomes real and relatable, and where our community’s sporting future is shaped through conversation within our chosen family.

Paddington RSL Bistro — Lunch

Sunday is the perfect day for a roast lunch or one of the Sports Talk specials from the Paddo RSL Bistro:

• Sunday Roast Pork with all the trimmings — $20

• 200g Rump Steak with chips, salad & gravy — $23

• 300g Chicken Schnitzel with chips, salad & gravy — $23

• Beer‑Battered Fish & Chips — $22

• Gnocchi A‑La‑Norma — $22

Pre‑booking your meal is recommended, as the Sunday Roast will sell out.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access is available via the lift to Level 1, with accessible bathrooms, companion card acceptance, and flexible seating arrangements. The venue can adjust tables and chairs to suit individual needs.

Schedule

12:00 PM — Paddo RSL open / Bistro open for lunch / Auditorium doors open / Level 1 Bar open
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM — Sports Talk panel
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM — Community Meet & Greet
4:00 PM — Auditorium closed

Lunch is available to pre‑order during the ticketing process.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this event takes place, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise the enduring strength, culture, and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to our communities.