Canberra Capitals star Lauren Jackson says the driving force behind wearing the rainbow colours for an entire season is to "start conversations" about equality and inclusiveness.

And while gay Capitals coach Carrie Graf hopes her children and others will be able to tell their friends they have "two mummies" and no one blinks an eyelid, her motives are far more wide reaching.

The Capitals are the first Australian sports team to make a season-long stance on the issue, and will wear the uniforms for the first time against Dandenong Rangers at AIS Arena on Saturday night.

Wallabies flanker David Pocock and Jackson have leant their profiles to the 'You Can Play' initiative, which combats anti-homophobia in sport. 

Jackson said the Capitals' decision isn't designed to pressure people into 'coming out', but to promote awareness it should be OK in society to be yourself.

"I don't think coming out is the issue, it's having the discussion and not putting pressure on people to come out," Jackson said.

"In our communities it should be OK to be straight, to be gay, to be bisexual or whoever you are.

"It's more about discussing why aren't you equal, why don't you have the same values I do and why can't we all live the same.

"David and I have been champions for equality in sport and the platform we [Capitals] are doing it on is a pretty huge one.

"We've had a lot of firsts in this club, and hopefully other teams will follow our lead in the future."

In October, 2013, Graf opened up about her same-sex relationship and being parents to twins Charli and Bentley, now three years old.

With gay marriage a huge talking point in society, the Capitals felt it was important to make their own bold statement.

Graf said the fact it was the brainchild of "two straight men", University of Canberra union boss Matt O'Brien and board member Lachlan Searle, sends a stronger message.

"It gave it more power that it wasn't female athletes or a female coach, some gay, some not, [who had the idea about] making a statement about equality and inclusiveness," Graf said.

"It's important for the next generation it will be normal for my kids to go to school and say they've got two mummies, and other kids can say so do I.

"It's a part of our society and it's important people can be who they are, are proud of who they are and they're not pressured to be anything other than ourselves.

"We don't want to see kids in the next generation, particularly young men, suiciding because of sexuality issues.

"That's such a tragedy and things can help change the conversation and thinking in the future."

Graf admitted she was initially hesitant about the idea when it was initially raised, for fear it would be perceived as using her profile to promote a personal issue.

"This isn't about me, and I had some reservations when the guys put it to us," Graf said.

"I didn't want it to be perceived here's a gay coach with a partner and kids making a stand.

"The only reason I came out in The Canberra Times was because we were having children and sexuality is a really personal issue.

"It's not about people coming out, in the future hopefully you won't have to come out because it's just who you are.

"I'm not a Martian, I'm just me."

Jackson said she hopes it prompts parents to have conversations with their children when they ask the meaning behind the rainbow colours on Canberra's uniform.

"It's something that's on everybody's lips at the moment, but being proactive about the conversation is definitely going to help future generations," Jackson said.

"A lot of people say politics shouldn't be in sport, I say it's the perfect platform to encourage it.

"Australia's a great country and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, but in a lot of social issues we're definitely behind the eight ball and hopefully Malcolm Turnbull will make some changes.

"We've seen him be very proactive on the domestic violence issue, but I think gay marriage is next on the agenda."

SATURDAY

WNBL round one: Canberra Capitals v Dandenong Rangers at AIS Arena, 7pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.