Women's football has long been a safe space for the LGBTQI+ community.

Sydney Swans AFLW midfielder Darcy Moloney says the AFLW was pivotal in her journey to discovering and being comfortable with her own identity.

"I grew up in a small regional town in Victoria, so it wasn't actually probably something on my radar, you know, playing junior sport and all that, I didn't really care too much," Moloney said.

"I just sort of always felt like there was something a little bit different when it came to like dating and stuff, was never overly interested in boys or anything like that.

"But it wasn't really something talked about or encouraged... and then when I got drafted into the AFLW, it was quite eye-opening in terms of, it's okay... once I got into the AFLW, it was just so normal, even just little things."

Moloney arrived at the Swans ahead of the 2025 season from Geelong, where she played 46 games.

When the 22-year-old pulls on the Swans' Pride guernsey for the AFLW's Pride Round, it's a reminder of the support and allyship she receives from her teammates and club.

"Unfortunately, there was that homophobic comment by one of the Swans boys, and the very next day, Laura Gardiner comes in with a bow in her hair, a rainbow bow, and instantly it's like, you just feel like they have your back," Moloney said.

"It's such a little thing, but goes a long way, she's been such a good ally, such a good friend and showing that they don't stand for that, and I think that's where the club stands with it too, obviously.

"It's little things, like we've been given pride socks and a shirt and all the girls chuck it straight on and they love it and they don't care, it's not a big thing and they treat you just the same as them, they treat your partner the same."

Moloney acknowledged that while there was work for the AFL to do, the AFLW competition leads the way in creating an inclusive environment for watching football.

"I feel like it's so prominent this year, but it's always been there in the men's space, like the fact that the Swans are the only team that really do anything pride-related in the men's league is pretty disappointing when all the girls do it," Moloney said.

"Knowing that the AFLW is a safe space for queer people and when you go to a men's game, it's probably a lot more hetero and there's a lot more words being thrown around, whereas you come to an AFLW game and it's much more family orientated.

"The women's space for them is a lot safer for them to come to, especially Pride Round, where they feel like they can be proud and come have a voice.

"If you're interested in sport and want to feel safe in the in the community, AFLW is where it's at."

Sydney travels to Casey Fields for week two of the AFLW's Pride Round to take on Melbourne at 1.05pm on Saturday.

The Sydney Swans official Pride Partner is Adora Fertility.