News Mitch Brown comes out as first openly bisexual AFL player

[Miguel Sanchez]

I can excuse racism, homophobia and sexism, but I draw the line at insulting Roland from Schitt's Creek.

 

[Scotland]

Mitch Brown huh.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

View attachment 2409298

 

[CoastersFlag No.5]

Good that he was able to discuss it after he retired shame he wasn't able to do it while playing. Still bridges to cross for current and future players being able to be out whilst playing.

 

[Forward Press]

Good that he was able to discuss it after he retired shame he wasn't able to do it while playing. Still bridges to cross for current and future players being able to be out whilst playing.

But some still think there's no culture of homophobia in the AFL, ostensibly by those who also claim they 'don't care' about a person's sexuality (which is really code for I don't want to deal with gay people but you cannot say that anymore in public).

If a current player comes out (and I have no doubt we have some in the closet on AFL lists right now), that would do even more than Mitch Brown to remove that stigma.

 

[dopefish]

Mitch Brown huh.

You do realise that Brown sex is practised by a LOT more straight couples than gay couples?

 

[Scotland]

You do realise that Brown sex is practised by a LOT more straight couples than gay couples?

1000% not where I was going with that.

 

[Scotland]

But some still think there's no culture of homophobia in the AFL, ostensibly by those who also claim they 'don't care' about a person's sexuality (which is really code for I don't want to deal with gay people but you cannot say that anymore in public).

If a current player comes out (and I have no doubt we have some in the closet on AFL lists right now), that would do even more than Mitch Brown to remove that stigma.

It needs to be someone big, IMO.

If it came out (pun not intended) that the Bont was gay, the reaction would be that the best player in the AFL is gay. If it was Joe Nobody then it would be a pretty heavy burden to carry being "the gay player". Can understand not wanting to be that guy. Humphries in the NBL and the guy who used to play Adelaide United have chosen to, I'm sure others haven't. Some people want to be at the forefront representing whatever minority group they are part of and others just want to kick a footy. Can totally understand both perspectives. The AFL media are vultures and you can guarantee that some ambulance chasers having seen this story today would've been on the phone to former players etc. trying to get their own angle on things.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

It needs to be someone big, IMO.

If it came out (pun not intended) that the Bont was gay, the reaction would be that the best player in the AFL is gay. If it was Joe Nobody then it would be a pretty heavy burden to carry being "the gay player". Can understand not wanting to be that guy. Humphries in the NBL and the guy who used to play Adelaide United have chosen to, I'm sure others haven't. Some people want to be at the forefront representing whatever minority group they are part of and others just want to kick a footy. Can totally understand both perspectives. The AFL media are vultures and you can guarantee that some ambulance chasers having seen this story today would've been on the phone to former players etc. trying to get their own angle on things.

It's simple. The AFL need to find their gay Dean.

 

[PerthBoy86]

Well a small win for a club in a lean years...off field.

And I guess we're halfway there, get it lol jk.

But seriously very brave of Mitch. Wish I could remember him more as a player.

 

[Broken_Chairs]

Good shit Mitch, big kudos. Wild & depressing this even needs to be news - but such important timing in light of the debate about penalty's for on-field slurs (which included our club this year).

Ending a career at 28 due to fears of being outed... horrible. How much talent have we lost or never seen due to bigotry/lack of inclusivity in our sport.

 

[UseR2006]

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Good statement!

 

[kane249]

 

[jdisc]

You do realise that Brown sex is practised by a LOT more straight couples than gay couples?

he didnt say anything about that...

 

[jdisc]

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now thats a reference thats streets ahead

 

[pighead]

Folks think afl is being “woke” for outlawing these slurs, players obviously aren’t comfortable being themselves and hopefully these stricter create a more open environment.

 

[UseR2006]

The thing is it's not even just about the slurs, reading the article it's just the general acceptance of having a different preference for the people you are attracted to.

Reading his experiences of being laughed at when asking how you would know if you were gay or not. Hearing conversations like they'd rather be eaten by a bear then have to shower next to a gay person.

Sure these stories are probably from a decade ago which in some respects feels like a lifetime. But I only have to read the responses to the social posts on the Rankine and Mitch Brown stories to see that just even basic acceptance of people is a struggle for some out there.

I honestly don't give 2 shits about who you love or are attracted to. Your life is your own and who you choose to share that with is none of my bloody business, But if we're talking shit about whose attractive etc, I want people to be comfortable enough to be like "yeah man, I find X attractive" regardless if it's a straight, Bi, Gay preference or not. I'm comfortable enough in my own skin to just say "cool, don't swing that way but nice" and I hope we can get to a point one day where those with a different preference can be comfortable enough to feel the same.

If that makes any sense.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

I'd hesitate a guess that the issue is less about genuine homophobia, but more about ignorance.

I remember back to growing up, calling people gay slurs was part of life, I didn't actually know any gay people (recognising I probably did but didn't realise), it was more just the way insults went. As I got older, I realised it was insensitive and an unnecessary slur and it worked it's way out of my vocabulary.

That's what announcements like Mitch's do for society. It makes the vast majority who may be using casual slurs rethink things and realise that they shouldn't use them, and to drop them. Gay people then feel more accepted.

The very small majority of real homophobes won't change, but **** them, and they can get shunned by society, and cop increasingly lengthy bans for dropping slurs (not saying Graham/Rankine etc are, but guessing they are most likely in the first category of using something as a slur because it was "normalised" as what you say to insult people).

 

[QL 21]

Respect to Mitch.

Drafted at a difficult time for West Coast when half his teammates were flatlining, but always liked the way he played.

Hope he's getting a lot of positive support during this time.

 

[Smotie2]

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.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

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.

Why?

Afraid he'll jump you?

 

[Happy Mastenator]

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.

Who gives a shit. You realise if someone is gay in the club room (and if you've played a lot of footy you almost certainly have played with at least one gay/bi guy), they aren't hitting on you and trying to touch you.

I've seen more stupid stuff and inappropriate comments/touching (ball smacks/arse grabs) as "playing around" from straight guys than anyone who I've known is gay or bi.

 

[FKASC]

I've seen more stupid stuff and inappropriate comments/touching (ball smacks/arse grabs) as "playing around" from straight guys than anyone who I've known is gay or bi.

Would have to agree with that!

 

[kane249]

It's a weird one to ponder, given how old guys aren't usually afraid to let it all hang out in there