Marriage Equality Australia
A gay rights activist holds a placard during a rally supporting same-sex marriage, in Sydney, Australia May 31, 2015. Bill Shorten, leader of Australia's opposition Labour Party introduced a bill to legalise same-sex marriage on June 1, 2015, adding the backing of a major party to growing public support for the issue after last month's landmark 'yes' vote in Ireland. Shorten introduced the bill, the first by a leader of a major Australian political party, in the government-dominated lower house of parliament despite opposition from conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who is not expected to allow it to come up for a vote. Picture taken May 31, 2015. REUTERS/David Gray

Australia’s National Rugby League has officially supported the legalization of same-sex marriage in the country amid increasing pressure on the issue. The organization has signed a corporate-led campaign, which was launched by advocacy group Australian Marriage Equality.

A full-page advert that featured the names of 154 brands who were calling on the Government to have a vote on same-sex marriage was printed in the Australian press, which included Google, Twitter, and Qantas in the list of participants. The campaign has ballooned since then and now has the backing of 391 different businesses and brands as per Gaystarnews.com.

The support of NRL followed Football Federation of Australia and Australian Football League’s endorsement for the equality of marriage. NRL Chief Operating Officer Suzanne Young said that the league’s core value is inclusiveness which embraces policies to recognize the rights of the country’s LGBTI community.

“We are very proud that the NRL was the first national sporting organisation to join as a member of the Pride in Diversity Index. For the past three years our welfare and education programs have included homophobia as part of our broader Respectful Relationships programs,” Young said in a statement announcing the league’s backing of the issue.

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said NRL’s stance reflects a growing momentum for marriage equality across the entire Australian society. Croome applauded NRL for its “principled stand in support of marriage equality and for its defence of fundamental Australian values like equal opportunity and a fair go.”

Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been under a growing pressure to support marriage equality after landmark victories in the United States and Ireland. The Australian Parliament voted down same-sex marriage in numerous occasions partly because of the Prime Minister’s Liberal party opposes it.

Meanwhile, Sydney Rabbitohs rugby star Thomas Burgess voiced out his support for LGBTI rights. He said that it is “ignorant and old-fashioned” if a male can only love a female. He also added that endorsement from a name as big as the NRL is great for the cause of same-sex marriage.

“Nowadays, anyone can love anyone. And people just need to get over it,” Burgess added via Sydney Morning Herald.

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