Why these Etihad Stadium signs are dividing Australia

There has been mixed reaction to gender diversity signs displayed at Etihad Stadium for the annual Pride Game between Sydney and St Kilda.

A small number of toilets, originally used as disabled toilets or baby change stations, were declared gender neutral, and some signs welcoming gender diversity were displayed at various locations in the stadium.

The signs read: “Gender diversity is welcome here.”

“Please use the restroom that best fits your gender identity or expression.”

The move prompted widespread debate online, with the initiative labelled as a “stupid idea” by one Twitter user.

“Drunk male bogans wandering into the previously labelled female toilets and hoping they’ll get a look,” the man tweeted.

“Nothing good can come from this idea.”

Another said: “I also have two daughters that I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending to a bathroom where anybody can walk into.”

But plenty of people welcomed the initiative as well.

“Great to see this at the #PrideGame,” another social media user wrote, along with a picture of the sign.

LGBTI activist Paul Kidd also tweeted he welcomed the signs that promoted gender diversity at the AFL.

The Saints launched the AFL’s annual Pride Game in 2016, News Limited reports.

Both teams donned rainbow colours on their uniforms in support of the cause of promoting inclusivity during Saturday’s game.