Ahead of the Sydney Swans’ eighth annual Pride Game this year, the Swans are partnering with bank and financial services provider, HSBC, for a fourth year in a row to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community within the league.
As the Sydney Swans take on St. Kilda during the official Pride Game, on Thursday 8 June, they will be participating in HSBC’s Chant for Pride campaign. The campaign marks the fourth year of their partnership with HSBC and aims to encourage all people to stand with the LGBTQIA+ community and proudly chant for diversity and inclusion for all within Aussie Rules.
HSBC’s Chant for Pride campaign introduces a new chant for Sydney Swans players, Rainbow Swans, club members and fans to proudly stand up for the LGTBQIA+ community and chant for diversity and inclusion at the footy. The chant words are thoughtfully written, with support from Rainbow Swans’ Dion Alexander and Shane Pascoe, to proudly unite all Sydney Swans fans, calling to “wave our rainbows high and watch our Swans fly”. A video for the chant was also produced and launched ahead of Pride Game, starring Rainbow Swans’ Drag Queen Joyce Maynge, alongside AFL and AFLW stars, Callum Mills, Justin McInerney, Errol Gulden, Lucy McEvoy, Cynthia Hamilton and Bella Smith.
The Sydney Swans are vocal advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community and have continued to lead the way in the diversity and inclusion space within the league. Consistently showing their support for their LGBTQIA+ fans, the Swans march in the annual Sydney Mardi Gras parade and have challenged the status quo within the league over the years, since playing in the first official Pride Game for AFL premiership points in 2016.
Tom Harley, Sydney Swans Chief Executive Officer says, “The Sydney Swans and HSBC are both extremely passionate about diversity and inclusion. One of the highlights on our calendar is celebrating the Pride Game and proudly marching in the Mardi Gras as a football club. We believe everyone should feel welcome, included and safe at the football.”
The chant will be featured during ¾ time at the 2023 Pride Game, where all fans will be encouraged to stand and Chant for Pride to show their support. See the lyrics below.
Chant for Pride Lyrics:
We are proudly Sydney
The rainbows unite our Bloods
Cheer cheer for mighty Sydney
All standing filled with love.
Wave our rainbows high
and watch our Swans fly
We are proudly Sydney
Cheer cheer we’ll stand and unite
Swans will march to victory
We’ll all proudly unite
We all sing for diversity
Devoutly the red and the white
Wave our rainbows high
and watch our Swans fly
We are proudly Sydney
Swans will stand for pride
LGBTQIA plus
Be sure to stand here with us
Celebrate on the pitch you’ll see
We are proudly Sydney
