Former AFL star Mitch Brown has publicly slammed a number of clubs for not acknowledging his historic announcement this week that he identifies as bisexual.
Brown, 36, is the first player in the history of the VFL or AFL to declare he isn’t straight – and the brave move from the ex-West Coast defender was widely praised in footy circles following the development on Wednesday.
A number of AFL clubs – namely the GWS Giants, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs and Brown’s former side West Coast – were quick to pledge messages of support on social media.
Hawthorn, Carlton, St Kilda, Melbourne, Essendon and Richmond eventually followed suit, while the Sydney Swans shared the post online from The Daily Aus – who first spoke to Brown.
The Bloods also commended Brown for his ‘bravery’ and pointed out they were the first AFL club to host a men’s Pride Game.
Carlton’s official Pride supporter group said the announcement ‘is going to mean so much to so many’.
Former AFL star Mitch Brown has slammed a number of clubs for not publicly acknowledging his announcement this week that he identifies as bisexual (pictured, with ex-wife Shae Bolton)
Brown is the first player in the history of the VFL or AFL to declare he isn’t straight – and the move from the ex-West Coast defender (pictured) was widely praised in footy circles
While many AFL clubs acknowledged Brown’s bravery, the silence from four – Collingwood, Brisbane, Geelong and Adelaide – was deafening (pictured, Mitch Brown’s Instagram post)
North Melbourne would understand Brown’s bravery better than most.
In 2020, former Kangaroos coach and premiership player Danielle Laidley was outed as transgender and has since spoken at length about what she has endured.
But from four clubs – Collingwood, Brisbane, Geelong and Adelaide – the silence was deafening.
It wasn’t missed by Brown, who publicly called them out, including the Cats, where his twin brother Nathan is on the coaching staff of their AFLW team.
‘Collingwood, might not pay my membership next year at this rate,’ Brown – a lifelong Magpies fan – posted online.
‘Geelong, you know my bro works with you right? ‘Hey Adelaide… nah I won’t even bother.
‘Brisbane Lions you’re off the hook. The Taylor Swift engagement is so much bigger than this. ‘Who’s next?’
His Swift reference was tongue-in-cheek after the Lions posted a photo of the singer and NFL star Travis Kelce following news of their engagement – but failed to mention Brown.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said Mitch Brown’s (pictured in 2009) announcement was ‘a step forward’ for the code
Brown said he wanted to ‘acknowledge that I’m not speaking on behalf of the queer community, I’m only speaking from my own experiences’
‘I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles and I am a bisexual man,’ Brown revealed this week.
‘I’ve lived a very privileged life as a white male in our society and things have come to me quite easily, so I just want to acknowledge that.
‘I also want to acknowledge that I’m not speaking on behalf of the queer community, I’m only speaking from my own experiences.’
Brown’s revelation follows Adelaide star Izak Rankine being banned for four weeks for a recent on-field homophobic slur aimed at a Collingwood player.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said Brown’s announcement was ‘a step forward’ for the code.
‘Mitch has shown great courage in sharing his story and personal journey. This is an important moment for him and for our entire game,’ he said.
‘Building on Mitch’s story we hope 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.
‘The AFL will continue to partner with our clubs, pride 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.’
