- Expert says it’s time for the AFL to look in the mirror
Mitch Brown created history last week, after the West Coast Eagles defender became the first AFL player, past or present, to come out as bisexual.
The 36-year-old former West Coast player made the landmark announcement on Wednesday with the simple but historic words, ‘I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles and I’m a bisexual man.’
Brown said that the ‘hypermasculinity’ in AFL teams made it impossible for him to be his true self.
The move has been widely praised in the footy world, but an expert who has studied homophobia in the sport says it’s no time for the AFL to be celebrating.
Dr Erik Denison, a behavioural scientist at Monash University, says the league has deeply imbedded issues surrounding homophobia.
‘I don’t think it’s time for the AFL community to be congratulating itself, sort of saying “job done, here look at us, we finally have an openly gay bisexual player”,’ he told ABC Sport.
Mitch Brown (pictured) has become the first AFL/VFL player in the almost 130-year history of the league to come out as bisexual
A behavioural scientist at Monash University says the league has deeply imbedded issues surrounding homophobia
‘This is time for the AFL community to really look in the mirror, listen to what Mitch Brown is saying, and do something about the problems that he’s describing.
‘This is an opportunity for the AFL to drive long-overdue change to culture and behaviour at all levels of the game.’
Brown’s announcement came as Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine was slapped with a four-match ban after he became the sixth AFL player in the past 16 months to be suspended for a homophobic slur directed at an opposition player.
Rankine’s comment has sparked much discourse on whether the league is doing enough to create inclusive spaces, with the AFL receiving some criticism for how it handled the situation.
Dr Denison said homophobic language has been normalised.
‘Hyper masculinity and homophobia permeate every square centimetre,’ he said.
‘It’s just part of the furniture, part of the fabric, part of the wallpaper, part of everyday interactions in the sport.
‘This is all they know.’
Brown is pictured playing for the West Coast Eagles in 2013. He racked up 96 games for the club in his 10-year career
Brown has now issued a direct message to the league to work harder in this space to help foster a culture where everyone feels like they belong.
‘This is also a call to action,’ Brown said in a message published on his Instagram over the weekend, in which he also thanked his followers for their support. ‘It’s time for the AFL and the clubs to commit to genuine change, embedding inclusion not just in words, but in culture, policies and everyday actions.
‘If we can make our game a better place where everyone belongs, the ripple effect on Australian society will be profound.
‘I look forward to joining the movement that started long before me to create a safer, more inclusive sport and society for everyone.’
The AFL has a zero-tolerance policy in relation to homophobia and in recent years, the league has been making progress to create a culture of belonging and has notably introduced its LGBTQIA+ action plan.
As part of the Action Plan, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon writes: ‘I want to be clear: there is absolutely no place for homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia – or any form of discrimination for that matter – in our game, workplace, or society.’
The AFL has been contacted for comment.
