Saturday, 30th August, 2025: Fiona Newton, – host of Chicks Talking Footy, AFL player Mitch Brown Coming Out as Bi – A First for AFL

Saturday Magazine

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Fiona Newton, – host of Chicks Talking Footy, talks to Nevena and John about former AFL player Mitch Brown Coming Out as Bi – A First for AFL

Former West Coast defender Mitch Brown has become the first openly bisexual man in AFL history.

Brown, who played 94 games for the Eagles between 2007 and 2016, said the weight of hiding his sexuality played a part in his decision to retire at 28 after being delisted by the Eagles.

Speaking to the Daily Aus, Brown described the AFL’s culture as a “hyper-masculine”, something that made questioning sexuality impossible.

“I remember two people having a conversation around how they would feel having a shower next to a gay man, and one of the players said, ‘I’d rather be in a cage full of lions than have a shower next to a gay man’,” Brown said.

“There’s been so many times in my life that I’ve seen things or heard things and not said anything, in fear of people thinking that I was gay or bisexual.”

The 36-year-old believes there are currently gay and bisexual players playing in the AFL and he says his message to them is: “I see you and you are not alone.”

Brown said he hopes his story helps create the “safety, comfort, and space” for others to come forward.

“The reactions that I hope for are the ones I won’t hear. They’re the ones of those young men around Australia going, ‘I feel seen, I feel a little bit safer, and I have a role model — albeit just ordinary old Mitch — a role model I can now look to’,” he said.

In a further statement on his personal Instagram account after his announcement, Brown wrote: “Very weird feeling knowing this is out in the world, but I feel confident in who I am and have amazing support around me. If this helps even one person, it will have been worth it. The world needs more positive male role models, and I hope I can step up and be one”.

In the wake of Rankine’s suspension, Brown said the focus should be on systemic change rather than the length of suspensions.

Brown was clearly taking notice of the reaction, as he subsequently published some messages of his own, taking shots at clubs that had yet to make any public comments.

A number of AFL clubs – the GWS Giants, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs and Brown’s former side West Coast pledged messages of support on social media that same day.

Hawthorn reposted a message from the AFL on Wednesday, while Carlton and St Kilda published messages of support online on Thursday.

Perhaps in reaction to Brown’s call-outs, Melbourne, Essendon, and the Tigers belatedly posted social media messages of support on Friday, with the Swans following suit on Saturday afternoon.

“It is wonderful to see so much conversation after an incredibly significant moment for our industry and Australia’s LGTBQIA+ community,” the Swans statement on Saturday read

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/mitch-brown-blasts-section-of-afl-clubs-for-a-lack-of-support/news-story/ef6be7e6938bc2193f3cc7a636ec7003

The post Saturday, 30th August, 2025: Fiona Newton, – host of Chicks Talking Footy, AFL player Mitch Brown Coming Out as Bi – A First for AFL appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

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Saturday, 30th August, 2025: Fiona Newton, – host of Chicks Talking Footy, AFL player Mitch Brown Coming Out as Bi – A First for AFL

Saturday Magazine

published 6d ago