News Mitch Brown comes out as first openly bisexual AFL player

[HoneyBadger35]

I think it’s an overstep but good to see it predictably being used to ignore the entire point of why it was an important decision.

Regardless (and reiterating, yes I think it was probably a bit far to call out clubs), the “he’s just doing it for attention” accusation was already out there on day one, and would follow any active or retired player doing similar.

Come out preseason? Distraction, wanting attention.
Come out game week? Distraction, should be preparing.
Come out after a loss? Looking to bury the bad game result.
Come out after a win? Pulling focus.
Come out after a flag? Making it all about you.

There’ll never be a right way to do this for some people.

Let’s not pretend the net impact isn’t still overwhelmingly positive and that people haven’t been using the “he just wants some attention” argument whenever anyone comes out in any sport worldwide.

 

[Jootube]

I think it’s an overstep but good to see it predictably being used to ignore the entire point of why it was an important decision.

Regardless (and reiterating, yes I think it was probably a bit far to call out clubs), the “he’s just doing it for attention” accusation was already out there on day one, and would follow any active or retired player doing similar.

Come out preseason? Distraction, wanting attention.
Come out game week? Distraction, should be preparing.
Come out after a loss? Looking to bury the bad game result.
Come out after a win? Pulling focus.
Come out after a flag? Making it all about you.

There’ll never be a right way to do this for some people.

Let’s not pretend the net impact isn’t still overwhelmingly positive and that people haven’t been using the “he just wants some attention” argument whenever anyone comes out in any sport worldwide.

Some people are understandably skeptical that announcements like these are used as publicity stunts.

Mitch has done himself no favours by immediately @ing clubs that didn't publicly support him.

Self-inflicted ego wound?

 

[Forward Press]

I think it’s an overstep but good to see it predictably being used to ignore the entire point of why it was an important decision.

Regardless (and reiterating, yes I think it was probably a bit far to call out clubs), the “he’s just doing it for attention” accusation was already out there on day one, and would follow any active or retired player doing similar.

Come out preseason? Distraction, wanting attention.
Come out game week? Distraction, should be preparing.
Come out after a loss? Looking to bury the bad game result.
Come out after a win? Pulling focus.
Come out after a flag? Making it all about you.

There’ll never be a right way to do this for some people.

Let’s not pretend the net impact isn’t still overwhelmingly positive and that people haven’t been using the “he just wants some attention” argument whenever anyone comes out in any sport worldwide.

As with previous social equality issues, there will always be an element that says you have do it the right way and be a flawless, selfless model of ideal behaviour that even Buddha himself would be envious.

Those people would prefer Mitch Brown goes quietly into the night and his social media bizarreness is a perfect excuse to force everyone like him to stay in their closet.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Probably been a few days of high pressure and high emotion, possibly had some liquid courage as well, and he’s done something silly on social media that he’ll regret later.

It happens. Shouldn’t immediately undo everything that came before it.

 

[Wet Toast Rule]

Agree with above.

I think it would be fine for him to stop at being thankful for the clubs that supported him - and leave it at that.

I think its also reasonable for somebody else to criticise the clubs that didn't come out in support.

But it looks a bit entitled / attention seeking for him to do it, unfortunately. That's just how it comes across.
I'm glad he deleted it, in the long run it won't matter.

 

[Ochre]

Probably could've done it in a better way but I would be so disappointed if I was an LGBT fan or AFLW player of a club that didn't acknowledge it, wouldn't be surprised if they didn't mind it.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

I think its also reasonable for somebody else to criticise the clubs that didn't come out in support.

Then the copy and pasted Sky News talking points would come out: Virtue signalling! Woke! Nobody cares!

 

[Forward Press]

I mean, it's a bad decision by Mitch Brown to post that on his Insta as there's really no obligation by other clubs to come out in support, but Adelaide saying nothing is quite...egregious given what happened two weeks ago.

 

[Boohemian]

Genuine question.

If you were playing footy for a club and knew one of the players was gay would you have any hesitation showering and changing in the locker rooms etc in front of said person.

Just wondering people's thoughts on this because I've heard this was a very real scenario with someone who used to play footy for a local club.

Straight men love to flatter themselves.

 

[Boohemian]

He missed his 15 mins of fame as a player, almost got to 15 mins with a look at me moment then the moment it seemed he realised sone clubs aren’t into virtue signalling as much as others goes into a melt down…

Geez. You're really not very good at this, are you?

 

[Smotie2]

Straight men love to flatter themselves.

Who hurt you?

 

[Smotie2]

Has made an absolute meal of this within 24 hours.

Went from "great stuff Browny" to "jeez you're a bit of an entitled dick aren't you?"

Well saying nothing is homophobic isn't it?

 

[Smotie2]

As with previous social equality issues, there will always be an element that says you have do it the right way and be a flawless, selfless model of ideal behaviour that even Buddha himself would be envious.

Those people would prefer Mitch Brown goes quietly into the night and his social media bizarreness is a perfect excuse to force everyone like him to stay in their closet.

Let me preface this comment by saying none of you have any idea about me.

Personally I just don't know who's business it is what you do in your personal life including sex life.

And as a footballer the only personal things that matter is if it affects your football or the club. Like natanui jumping over someone playing basketball when is off season and some flipped out. "He could break a leg"

The whole Ben cousins saga etc.

If you want to shag a fence post go right ahead, if you are into wife swapping go right ahead. Or threesomes or whatever the **** you fancy. As long as it doesn't affect you work or your employment.

Knock yourself out.

I just don't get the whole need to come out and tell everyone you're gay and used to play AFL
I mean are there people coming out as into wife swapping? I'm sure there are footy couple into this but why not come out? I'm sure there have been some slurs about girlfriends and wives being sluts etc.

Sorry I just don't get the need for a coming out of someone's homosexuality or any sexuality for that matter.

I also don't see a need for a pride round just as much as I don't see a need for straight round.

Leave sex out of football.

Come ready to play football no matter who or what you've been shagging. I'm not celebrating your hetero, invitro, homo or whatever "o" you're into.

I just want someone who plays football to win us games and premierships.

If this upsets you or you think im homophobic or sexualaphobic for this...kudos to you. You don't know me.

I don't mean any disrespect to anyone or any sexuality, as I said, you don't know me or my family situation etc etc.

Have a good day.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

There hasn’t been enough posts in this thread demonstrating how important representation is to young LGBTQA people?

Nah just leave it out and play football I guess.

 

[Smotie2]

I guess I could ask my employer to have an LGBTQ week at work for the young workers to have representation.

I'll let you know how that goes.


*Sorry they said leave it out and just work. So inconsiderate of my boss.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

I guess I could ask my employer to have an LGBTQ week at work for the young workers to have representation.

I'll let you know how that goes.


*Sorry they said leave it out and just work. So inconsiderate of my boss.

Pretty much.

We had a “wear it purple” day yesterday at work for that exact reason. Amazingly, work still got done too.

 

[Smotie2]

Pretty much.

We had a “wear it purple” day yesterday at work for that exact reason. Amazingly, work still got done too.

Sweet.

So you still got all those cakes baked for Freo next week?

Edit...I'll give you my employers number of you like and you can convince him.

 

[Boohemian]

Who hurt you?

No one?

Who neglected you?

 

[HoneyBadger35]

Let me preface this comment by saying none of you have any idea about me.

Personally I just don't know who's business it is what you do in your personal life including sex life.

And as a footballer the only personal things that matter is if it affects your football or the club. Like natanui jumping over someone playing basketball when is off season and some flipped out. "He could break a leg"

The whole Ben cousins saga etc.

If you want to shag a fence post go right ahead, if you are into wife swapping go right ahead. Or threesomes or whatever the **** you fancy. As long as it doesn't affect you work or your employment.

Knock yourself out.

I just don't get the whole need to come out and tell everyone you're gay and used to play AFL
I mean are there people coming out as into wife swapping? I'm sure there are footy couple into this but why not come out? I'm sure there have been some slurs about girlfriends and wives being sluts etc.

Sorry I just don't get the need for a coming out of someone's homosexuality or any sexuality for that matter.

I also don't see a need for a pride round just as much as I don't see a need for straight round.

Leave sex out of football.

Come ready to play football no matter who or what you've been shagging. I'm not celebrating your hetero, invitro, homo or whatever "o" you're into.

I just want someone who plays football to win us games and premierships.

If this upsets you or you think im homophobic or sexualaphobic for this...kudos to you. You don't know me.

I don't mean any disrespect to anyone or any sexuality, as I said, you don't know me or my family situation etc etc.

Have a good day.

How many examples in this thread are there of our own posters saying how this would have meant the world to them when they were in their formative years?

It’s important because there are people who don’t see themselves in the footy industry and are told repeatedly they don’t belong in locker rooms, in showers with straight players, as part of the league, or have to have their identity put on trial every time an AFL player says a slur on field.

One day, ideally, it won’t matter. But today you have countless examples of people saying it does, and people will still say “ugh why does this matter”.

Here’s just one from this thread. Fine enough to keep asking the question but when it’s been answered so many times at a certain point it’s simply that you don’t want to hear about ‘this stuff’ anymore and not actually asking in good faith.

good on you Mitch! I was the same age as his (flag year) Eagles draft cohort so followed those few closely back then (Emac, Schoey, Houlihan, Thomson). Remember seeing Mitch's first game ('evil eagles') at Stadium Australia. I also had to be the first of my kind to come out in my workplace too (quite a ways back now), it is a very taxing experience to be in the closet in certain environments. Heartening to see former Eagles like Laidley and Brown paving the way for better understanding and empathy of the difficulties of this football pathway, these precedents matter. Growing up as an Eagles fanatic in the childhood closet these stories would've meant the world to me back then.

reminds me of the likes of Ian Thorpe and Jan-Michael Gambill, was a big fan of them as a kid and with hindsight it breaks your heart to think of the personal struggles and curtailing pressures they might have navigated during their career.

 

[Smotie2]

No one?

Who neglected you?

Everyone

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Sweet.

So you still got all those cakes baked for Freo next week?

Edit...I'll give you my employers number of you like and you can convince him.

Cakes don’t survive for that long when I’m around.

 

[Forward Press]

Pretty much.

We had a “wear it purple” day yesterday at work for that exact reason. Amazingly, work still got done too.

Nah, I didn't get any work done because I was thinking about which gay co-worker wanted to ogle my doodle.

 

[Goroyals22]

Sweet.

So you still got all those cakes baked for Freo next week?

Edit...I'll give you my employers number of you like and you can convince him.

I don’t care what cause it is… anything that recommends you wear purple to work can go ahead without me. … it’s against my religion

 

[Forward Press]

Let me preface this comment by saying none of you have any idea about me.

Personally I just don't know who's business it is what you do in your personal life including your ethnicity.

And as a footballer the only personal things that matter is if it affects your football or the club. Like natanui jumping over someone playing basketball when is off season and some flipped out. "He could break a leg"

The whole Ben cousins saga etc.

If you want to hang out with black people go right ahead, if you are into Ku Klux Klan meetings go right ahead. Or lynchings or whatever the **** you fancy. As long as it doesn't affect you work or your employment.

Knock yourself out.

I just don't get the whole need to come out and tell everyone you're black and don't like racial slurs
I mean are there people coming out as into going to Klan meetings ? I'm sure there are footy couple into this but why not come out? I'm sure there have been some slurs about girlfriends and wives being n-word lovers etc.

Sorry I just don't get the need for a pointing at your skin or any racially-charged gesture for that matter.

I also don't see a need for an Indigenous round just as much as I don't see a need for white round.

Leave race out of football.

Come ready to play football no matter who or what skin colour you have. I'm not celebrating your black, Asian, white, purple or whatever "racial group" you're into.

I just want someone who plays football to win us games and premierships.

If this upsets you or you think im racist or bigoted for this...kudos to you. You don't know me.

I don't mean any disrespect to anyone or any race, as I said, you don't know me or my family situation etc etc.

Have a good day.

Well said.

 

[Boohemian]

Well said.

Not particularly.

It’s a celebration of ignorance by someone coming from a place of privilege.