A former Aussie Rules player has come out as the first openly gay or bisexual man in the Australian Football League's (AFL) 129-year history.
Mitch Brown, who played 94 matches for the West Coast Eagles from between 2007 and 2016, told The Daily Aus that the weight of hiding his sexuality played a huge part in his decision to retire.
He added that he hopes his decision to speak out will create the safety, comfort and space for others to come forward.
The news marks a pivotal moment for the AFL, which before Brown's announcement, was the only major professional men's sport globally to never have had an openly gay or bisexual player, even after retirement.
Brown first shared the news in a direct message to The Daily Aus's social media account after watching coverage of recent incidents of homophobia in the AFL.
I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I'm a bisexual man, he wrote.
The decision to speak out came from a feeling of peace... comfort and confidence that he didn't have while hiding his sexuality when he was an active player, Brown said.
He described a culture of hyper-masculinity in the AFL, where he heard countless homophobic comments hurled at him on the field.
Brown, 36, 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.
His announcement comes after several high-profile incidents highlighting homophobia in the AFL.
Brown emphasized the need for the league to start celebrating players who aren’t necessarily the most successful but are crucial for community representation and support.
Brown urged fans to show empathy for all players, adding a heartfelt message to those who feel they cannot speak out, stating, I see you and you are not alone.
