“HOPEFULLY one day soon, two girls can kiss in a photo and it can be uploaded with no backlash.”
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Orange rugby league star Vanessa Foliaki has spoken out about the spotlight thrown upon her and her partner after a photograph of a post-game embrace between the pair created a storm of social media comment.
The former Orange Hawks and Group 10 league tag gun and her girlfriend Karina Brown took to North Sydney Oval on opposite sides in June’s inaugural women’s State of Origin game, won by Ms Foliaki’s NSW Blues.
When the final whistle was blown, the pair – who have been a couple since 2014 – met on the field, offering each other congratulations before sharing a kiss, which the NRL posted an image of to its Facebook page.
Ms Foliaki this week explained how surprised she was about the size and, in some instances, tone of the reactions to that post.
“We kissed, which is a totally normal thing, and thought nothing of it,” she said.
“I probably just said, ‘good game, can't wait to see you after this’. It had been a long week apart.
“Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but hopefully one day soon, two girls can kiss in a photo and it can be uploaded with no backlash. That would be awesome.”
The couple had been a week apart with their respective teams before catching up at the end of the game.
I feel really fortunate to have been born in a time where I could do that; be myself and not have to worry about who was watching me.
- Karina Brown
Ms Brown said to see her partner after a week in which they barely spoke was very emotional.
“It's funny, because that's just a normal moment for Ness and I, and for our friends and family,” she said.
“I feel really fortunate to have been born in a time where I could do that; be myself and not have to worry about who was watching me.”
Both players said they were pleased the majority of people who posted about the photo were supportive.
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“For some people, it’s still a shock,” Ms Brown said.
“I guess the more we can get it out there, that it’s OK to be who you are, it won't be a shock anymore. It'll just be normal. It is normal,” said Ms Brown.
Miss Foliaki moved to Australia from New Zealand eight years ago, and immediately made her mark in Orange football circles, both for Hawks and Orange Emus in rugby union, as well as a host of representative teams.
She said she hoped to be playing for the Sydney Roosters when the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership begins in September.