A former Australian Football League (AFL) player has made history by becoming the first openly bisexual man in the league’s 129-year history. Mitch Brown, who played 94 matches for the West Coast Eagles from 2007 to 2016, recently shared his story with The Daily Aus, highlighting the profound impact of hiding his sexuality during his career.
Brown’s revelation comes amidst a backdrop of “hyper-masculinity” in the AFL, a culture he described as rife with homophobic comments and attitudes. “I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I’m a bisexual man,” Brown declared in a direct message to The Daily Aus‘s social media account. This decision was fueled by a newfound “peace, comfort, and confidence” that he lacked during his playing days.
The AFL had been the only major professional men’s sport globally without an openly gay or bisexual player, even post-retirement. Brown hopes his openness will create “safety, comfort, and space” for others to come forward.
Breaking the Silence in a Culture of Hyper-Masculinity
Brown’s decision to come out was not made lightly. He recounted numerous instances of homophobic slurs on the field and a pervasive culture that discouraged open discussions about 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 shared.
He recalled a particularly telling 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.” Such sentiments underscore the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in sports.
Expert Opinions and Historical Context
Brown’s announcement is seen as a watershed moment for the AFL and potentially for global sports. Erik Denison, a researcher at Monash University, emphasized the significance of Brown’s openness. “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 noted.
“However, players coming out so far hasn’t had much of an effect on changing behaviours in the grassroots. But Brown is taking a very different approach than other players in that he is being very open about the problems that need to change in his sport, at the grassroots, to make people like him feel safe.”
Denison draws parallels to former American football player David Kopay, who came out as the first gay professional athlete in the NFL 50 years ago. He remains hopeful that Brown’s courage will “help drive change to culture and behaviour at clubs around Australia.”
Impact and Forward-Looking Analysis
Brown, now 36, is in a relationship with a female partner and was previously married to former netball player Shae Bolton, with whom he shares two sons. His announcement comes on the heels of several high-profile homophobic incidents in the AFL, including a recent four-week ban for Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine for using a “highly offensive” homophobic slur.
Addressing these incidents, Brown expressed a desire for a “sense of change” in the league, advocating for the celebration of “positive male role models” who may not be the most successful players but are crucial 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,” he said.
Brown believes there are currently gay and bisexual players in the AFL who remain closeted. He encouraged fans to show empathy and shared a message for those who still don’t feel comfortable enough to speak out: “I see you and you are not alone.”
As the AFL and its players navigate this new chapter, Brown’s courageous step forward may serve as a catalyst for broader acceptance and inclusivity within the sport.
