Knowing how difficult it can be, Mitch Brown hopes that his historical revelation that he is bisexual will make it easier for others.
He is “strong and comfortable” about becoming the first Afl player who publicly identifies himself as bisexually and says it is all about what happens next.
Brown also spoke about the culture of “hyper-mineness” in the drain when he played and said he heard a teammate of the West Coast say that he would rather be in a cage of lions than showering with a homosexual man.
“I played in the AFL for the West Coast Eagles for 10 years and I am a bisexual man,” Brown told The Daily Aus.
The explanation of the former Eagles player comes into play at a crucial moment, with the competition determined to eradicate homophobia.
A sequence of afs-bans for homophobic expression against opponents culminated last week, with Adelaide star Izak Rankine hit with a suspension of four games.
He may arrange that for all Crows’ Finals campaign.
Two years ago, the then League director Gillon McLachlan said that the first AFL player to reveal that he is gay or would bear a “burden” bisexually.
“I remember those comments, and the conversation in the dressing room has worsened that fear even more if you are a gay man or a bisexual man in that dressing room,” said Brown.
“In this position I am strong and comfortable to take the burden, as Gil McLachlan says. And if someone had to do it, I am in the room to do it.
“I don’t believe this is about me. It’s not about Mitch Brown being the first. For me it’s about sharing my experience so that others can see themselves.”
Brown said he never felt at ease at West Coast during his time to reveal his sexuality.
“In the dressing room and in the spas, the chats were all focused on ‘who did everyone the weekend’ or, you know,” she is pretty hot, “he said.
“It was never a chance to speak openly whether to explore your feelings or questions in a safe way.
“I remember that two (players) had a conversation about how they would feel a shower next to a gay man, and one of the players said:” I would rather be in a cage full of lions than a shower next to a gay man.
“There has been so often in my life that I have seen things or have heard things and said nothing, for fear of people who think I was gay or bisexual.”
The Eagles were quick to praise and post Brown on Wednesday: “We love you, Mitch! We are proud of you and how you live your values to make Footy and our society a better place.”
Brown eventually added that his decision to go public was clear.
“It wasn’t so many hours (from contemplation). It was a time in time for me, and it was seconds,” said Brown.
“I had this feeling of peace, but more importantly, comfort and trust.
“What is the most important thing to me is a feeling of change, a movement that has been created where you can be everyone and feel that you can be everyone and be safe in any environment here in Australia.
“Hopefully this now offers (that) for the second person.”
He added his current and former partner, who are women, strongly back and praised his courage.
Brown, 36, played 94 games for the Eagles between 2007 and 2016.
His history making comments contrast sharply with the aflw, where sexuality has never been a problem and players openly talk about their relationships between the same sex.
In 2020, the former coach of North Melbourne and Premiership player Danielle Laidley was out as a transgender.
Since then, Laidley has spoken in detail about what she has experienced.
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon, AFL Players’ Association President and Collingwood captain Darcy Moore, and after Great Emma Kearney belonged to people who applauded brown applauded.
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