Mitch Brown has become the first male AFL player, past or present, to come out as gay or bisexual, in a step he hopes will make others in the game feel seen.
The 36-year-old played 94 matches for West Coast in a career that ended in 2016. He identifies as a bisexual man and is in a long-term relationship with a woman.
Brown said it would have been difficult had he spoken publicly during his playing career, but was motivated to help change the culture within the sport.
“Maybe a second person [comes out], and then the third…,” he told The Daily Aus. “You may be playing with someone who’s in the queer community. Empathy is powerful.”
Adelaide’s Izak Rankine became the latest in a string of players banned for using homophobic slurs last week. But suspensions have been unable to address the root causes of the game’s struggle to accept diversity among its players.
“What matters to me most is a sense of change, [creating] a movement where [players] can be anyone and be safe in any environment,” Brown said.
The news was widely welcomed on social media. In addition to messages from fans and supporters, the AFL Players’ Association described the post as “powerful” and the GWS Giants’ account responded with a heart emoji.
Pride Cup CEO Hayley Conway said the announcement was “an incredibly significant moment for LGBTIQ+ communities and for AFL” while AFL/AFLW analyst and former player Kate McCarthy welcomed the “overwhelmingly positive” news.
“To be honest, I did not think I would ever see the day when either an ex or current AFL men’s player would come out,” she said. “I felt like we were so far away from this, which is really, really exciting, that someone has done it. It shouldn’t take courage to tell the world who you are, but it is extremely courageous from Mitch.
“In the light of what the community went through last week, I thought that it’s even more brave that he decided to do it around this time and to speak up about his experiences.”
Brown grew up in Ballarat and was drafted into the AFL with pick 16 in 2006. The defender debuted the following year and spent a decade in the competition before playing his final game at age 27, an elimination final against the Western Bulldogs.
“I got to the end of my career and I was asked to play on for a couple more years, and I was over it. I was done,” he said. “I craved talking to someone and not being judged. I craved the ability to choose who I wanted to be around, rather than to fit into a team.”
He said he had “buried” questions about his own sexuality due to the “hyper-masculine” environment, and that slurs were so constant they “just became part of the normal conversation”.
“There have been so many times in my life I’ve seen things or heard things and not said anything … in fear of people thinking I was gay or bisexual.”
Brown said he empathises with those currently playing, and it is easier for him as a past player to speak up.
“I don’t have to run out there at the MCG in front of 80,000 fans next week … and fear the comments being thrown at me.”
Dr Erik Denison, behavioural scientist with Monash faculty of arts, said the way in which Brown came out – voicing criticism of the homophobic environment he has experienced – could be a watershed moment.
“What’s different here with Mitch coming out is that he is actually talking about the problems in his sport,” Denison said. “He’s talking openly about the homophobic environment being a factor in him deciding to retire from the game. We haven’t heard that kind of direct criticism before from other players who have come out, including in rugby union and also football in Australia, and so this is an important turning point.
“I’m hopeful this could mean that Mitch’s story might have a bigger impact than other players who’ve come out, because he’s a respected AFL player, an insider, talking about the problems in the game. He isn’t an outsider. He’s one of the boys, which means his words will have an impact on those within the game.”
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon acknowledged Brown’s courage in sharing his story and how important the moment was for the game.
“Today is a step forward, and building on Mitch’s story we hope that others feel encouraged to be their authentic selves and share their own journeys, and that these stories are met with support from teammates, clubs and the wider football community,” Dillon said in a statement.
“The AFL will continue to partner with our clubs, our Pride and Allies groups and the LGBTQI+ community to drive and celebrate inclusion across both our AFL and AFLW competitions.
“Together, our commitment is to keep making football an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone to thrive — and that work never stops.”
In contrast to the men’s game, the AFLW is a diverse competition which champions its many LGBTQ+ players and the community.
