Caitlin Smith has been proudly waving her rainbow Port Adelaide flag at Power games this season.

CAITLIN SMITH has always felt welcome at Port Adelaide games.  

While football and homosexuality don’t always go hand in hand, both are very much a part of Ms Smith’s life… and that has never been a problem.

A long-time Port Adelaide fan, Ms Smith was driven to start a new supporter group this year for members of the LGBTIQ+ community – not because she felt any need to highlight her sexuality but because she wanted others within the community to know that they should feel as welcome as she has when barracking for the club.

It is an important message in Pride Month.

“I’ve been a Port fan since I was a kid. Dad was a Port supporter and Mum supported Collingwood so it was a pretty easy choice,” she joked when talking to portadelaidefc.com.au.

“I got into active support with the Alberton Crowd and the Cheer Squad around 2014 with the move to Adelaide Oval.

“I really enjoyed being involved and as I was getting more active, I realised people were so welcoming and I felt comfortable coming out to people, taking a girlfriend to a game and being who I was.

“It never seemed like a big deal to anyone. The biggest thing was that you supported Port Adelaide.”

- Caitlin Smith, Port Adelaide Queer Squad founder

In 2019, Ms Smith had a special flag made up to bring to games. It is a cross between Port Adelaide’s V guernsey, its iconic prison bar design and the Rainbow flag – the symbol of pride in the LGBTIQ+ community.

This year, Ms Smith explained, a friend created a large Transgender flag and both sit proudly and comfortably alongside others in the Cheer Squad section at every home game at Adelaide Oval.

“I got such a good reception when I brought my rainbow flag along to games,” Ms Smith said. “It was a way for me to say this is who I am - I’m queer and I’m Port Adelaide and these two things are both a part of who I am.

“My friend Sandie made her Trans flag over the summer and brought that out this year and that is huge so it has received a lot of notice.”

Port Adelaide Queer Squad founder Caitlin Smith with her nanna Kay at a Power game.

The support has been overwhelmingly positive, and not just from those sitting around them. Soon the Port Adelaide Queer Squad was born.

“There have been a couple of negative social media comments but for the most part the reception has been really positive and supportive,” Ms Smith said.

“A lot of people don’t have an understanding of why we have created the group so it’s been a good way to educate them as well.

“After the first home game we got a message from someone via the Cheer Squad about how much it meant to him to see (the flags) in the Cheer Squad so Sandie and I had a chat about forming a LGBTIQ+ supporter group to show that the Port Adelaide Football Club and our supporters are welcoming.

“That’s been my experience the whole way through, but people looking in from the outside may not realise explicitly that they are welcome, no matter who they are.”

Many would have noticed the transgender Port Adelaide flag waving at the southern end of Adelaide Oval this year.

The Queer Squad has had a few social catch-ups, mainly to get ready for home games or to watch away games together.

There were about 20 people at the first gathering.

“We’ve been meeting up at pubs for away games or inviting others along to join the Alberton Crowd at the London Tavern before the game,” Ms Smith said.

“It’s about making friends and connections and making sure everyone feels welcome supporting the club.

“We just want people to know that you might not sit with us in the crowd but there are a whole bunch of people around that have your back.”

The Port Adelaide Queer Squad is the latest in the LGBTIQ+ supporter groups across the competition, which include the Rainbow Swans in Sydney, the Purple Bombers, the Ruby Demons, the Blue Roos, the Pink Magpies, the Golden Tigers, the Rainbow Crows and Saints Pride.