In a groundbreaking moment for the Australian Football League (AFL), former player Mitch Brown has made history by becoming the first openly bisexual man in the league’s 129-year history. Brown, who played 94 matches for the West Coast Eagles between 2007 and 2016, revealed his sexuality in an exclusive interview with The Daily Aus, citing the burden of hiding his true self as a significant factor in his decision to retire.
The AFL had been the only major professional men’s sport globally to have never had an openly gay or bisexual player, even after retirement. Brown’s announcement comes amid a broader conversation about inclusivity and acceptance in sports, particularly in a league known for its “hyper-masculinity.”
The Culture of Hyper-Masculinity in the AFL
Brown described the AFL’s culture as one steeped in “hyper-masculinity,” where homophobic comments were commonplace. “I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I’m a bisexual man,” he stated, expressing a newfound sense of peace and confidence in his decision to come out. Brown recounted numerous instances of homophobic remarks during his career, highlighting a pervasive attitude that discouraged players from openly addressing their sexuality.
“When I was growing up at school, the word ‘gay’ was thrown around constantly… For a man in Australia, [it was seen as] probably the weakest thing you could be,” Brown recalled. He also shared a particularly jarring conversation with teammates about showering next to a gay man, where one player remarked, “I’d rather be in a cage full of lions than have a shower next to a gay man.”
Expert Opinions and Historical Context
Brown’s revelation could signify a pivotal shift in the locker rooms of Australian men’s sports. Erik Denison, a researcher in behavioural science at Monash University, emphasized the historical significance of Brown’s announcement.
“This is an historic moment for world sport because the AFL is the last major professional sport to be without an openly gay or bisexual male player,” Denison said. “However, players coming out so far hasn’t had much of an effect on changing behaviours in the grassroots.”
Denison noted that Brown’s approach differs from other players who have come out, as he is openly addressing the issues that need to change in the sport to create a safer environment for all. This announcement comes 50 years after former American football player David Kopay became the first gay professional athlete in the NFL. Denison remains hopeful that Brown’s courage will “help drive change to culture and behaviour at clubs around Australia.”
Implications for the AFL and Beyond
Brown, who is currently in a relationship with a female partner and was previously married to former netball player Shae Bolton, with whom he shares two sons, hopes his decision will pave the way for others. He believes there are currently gay and bisexual players in the AFL who remain closeted and encouraged fans to show empathy.
The announcement follows several high-profile homophobic incidents in the AFL, including a recent incident involving Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine, who received a four-week ban for using a “highly offensive” homophobic slur during a game. Addressing these incidents, Brown called for the promotion of “positive male role models” and advised the AFL to celebrate players who may not be the most successful on the field but are vital to the community.
“My advice to the AFL would be, let’s celebrate the players who may not be the most successful, but they’re the most important players in our community,” Brown said. He shared a message of solidarity for those who still don’t feel comfortable enough to speak out:
“I see you and you are not alone.”
As the AFL and other sports leagues continue to grapple with issues of inclusivity and acceptance, Brown’s announcement represents a significant step forward. The hope is that his courage will inspire others to live authentically, ultimately fostering a more inclusive environment in sports and beyond.
