Former West Coast Eagles player Mitch Brown has become the first male AFL player, past or present, to come out as gay or bisexual. The 36-year-old, who played 94 matches for the Eagles between 2007 and 2016, identifies as bisexual and is in a long-term relationship with a woman.
Brown said he hopes his announcement will help others in the sport feel seen and encourage a cultural shift. He acknowledged that speaking out during his playing career would have been difficult, but he was motivated by a desire to foster empathy and change. 'What matters to me most is a sense of change, [creating] a movement where [players] can be anyone and be safe in any environment,' he told The Daily Aus.
The news comes after Adelaide player Izak Rankine was suspended for using homophobic slurs, highlighting ongoing issues with homophobia in the sport. Brown said he experienced a 'hyper-masculine' environment during his career, where slurs were so common they 'just became part of the normal conversation'. He added that he had 'buried' questions about his own sexuality due to fear of judgment.
Brown's announcement was widely welcomed, with the AFL Players' Association calling it 'powerful' and Pride Cup CEO Hayley Conway describing it as 'an incredibly significant moment for LGBTIQ+ communities and for AFL'. Dr Erik Denison, a behavioural scientist, noted that Brown's direct criticism of the homophobic environment could be a watershed moment, as previous players who came out had not spoken so openly about the problems in the game.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon acknowledged Brown's courage, saying, 'Today is a step forward, and building on Mitch's story we hope that others feel encouraged to be their authentic selves.' Brown, who grew up in Ballarat and was drafted in 2006, said he empathises with current players but feels it is easier for him as a former player to speak up.
