Two new GoFundMe pages have raised over $24,500 between them for LGBTIQ+ groups in an attempt to counter Israel Folau's crowdfunding campaign to raise money for his legal fees.
The former rugby star has been criticised for asking for donations to fund his legal costs after his $4m contract with Rugby Australia was torn up. The 30-year-old was sacked for posting a message on his Instagram account saying that hell awaits homosexuals, drunks, fornicators, and other sinners.
In response, Ryan Carter set up his own GoFundMe to raise money for the benefit of LGBTIQ+ Australians of colour, with all proceeds going to the .
In his campaign statement, he says that LGBTIQ+ people are twice as likely to experience mental health issues, and more than five times likely to attempt suicide.
"Folau's huge profile, especially given he is a person of colour, is inciting even further hatred and discrimination against an already marginalised community," he adds. His campaign has already raised over $13,705.
In the UK, rugby fan, Robbie Owen launched his campaign saying he wants to show that "Israel Folau's intolerance will not be tolerated."
On this page, the creator of the Squidge Rugby YouTube channel, says "I believe it is important that we, as fans, make the message clear. Intolerance such as Folau’s is not welcome in rugby."
"I want to donate to Stonewall, the charity responsible for the rainbow laces initiative adopted across sport. Their mission is to make it clear to LGBT individuals that they are not alone, that they are supported, seen, and understood."
This campaign has raised similar criticism to Folau's own campaign, with some commentators saying the donations should be raising money for children's charities, but it has already raised over $10,877.
Petition reaches over 13,700 signatures
Another campaign has started on Change.org aiming to get Israel Folau's campaign deleted off GoFundMe. The petition has nearly 14,000 signatures, with founder Jay Taylor claiming GoFundMe should not be used to raise funds for the "legal defense of hate, discrimination, intolerance of any kind relating to sexual orientation, sex, gender or gender identity."
"How is it fair that a man who has millions in property is allowed to ask for money to fight legal fees where he not only broke his contract but discriminated against many different people in the world saying it was based off religion. He is dragging the ARU and Christians through the mud," says Mr Taylor.
But the petition and fundraising efforts are well short of Israel Folau campaign, which has surpassed $640,000 of its $3.0m goal. The former Rugby Australia star launched his GoFundMe page on 18 June asking for donations to fight an unfair dismissal case he's brought against Australian Rugby's governing body.
The case could be a landmark test of religious freedoms in Australia.
On his page he explains that his Christian faith is the most important thing in his life and that he believes that "sharing the Bible is an act of love and compassion."
"What makes our country so wonderful is that we have such a diverse community made up of so many different cultures and values." writes Folau on his page, "But my faith defines me as a person. I do not believe that it is fair or right that I be punished for my religious beliefs."
More than 8,390 individual donations to Folau's campaign
More than 8,390 donors have contributed to Israel Folau's campaign, with one anonymous supporter giving the largest individual donation of $10,000. Many of his biggest donors have chosen to remain anonymous, and some names appear to be pseudonyms or names associated with bots on social media. Other donors have left comments criticising the media for its treatment of Folau.
Criticism of the rugby star's campaign has been widely reported in the media, with former teammates wading in to the discussion.
In his latest update on his donations page Israel Folau addresses the criticism he has been subjected to, thanking all of his supporters for their donations,
"I have received thousands of messages from supporters who believe discrimination in the workplace is wrong and has no place in Australia or anywhere else. Sadly, Rugby Australia have said that they will devote significant resources to fight me in court. This shows I have a long and hard battle on my hands, which is why I am asking for your support."
Netball Australia defends Folau's wife
Netball Australia has released a statement defending Israel Folau's wife for posting details of her husband's fundraising campaign on her own social media.
"We are aware that Adelaide Thunderbirds’ athlete Maria Folau re-posted her husband’s GoFundMe page details via social media. There is no action required by the league.
We will continue to support Maria as a valued member of the Thunderbirds and the Suncorp Super Netball league."
