A former Aussie Rules player has come out as the first openly gay or bisexual man in the Australian Football League's (AFL) 129-year history. Mitch Brown, who played 94 matches for the West Coast Eagles from 2007 to 2016, revealed that the burden of hiding his sexuality played a major role in his decision to retire. He expressed hope that his announcement will create 'safety, comfort and space' for others to feel empowered to share their identities.

Brown shared his story after watching events of homophobia in the AFL, a sport that had previously never featured an openly gay or bisexual player. 'I played in the AFL for 10 years, and I'm a bisexual man,' he stated. His decision marks a pivotal moment for the league, which he described as having a culture of 'hyper-masculinity'. He recounted incidents of derogatory comments directed at him, and emphasized the need for change within the sport.

Currently in a relationship with a female partner and formerly married to netball player Shae Bolton, with whom he has two sons, Brown is committed to promoting empathy and understanding in the community. 'I see you and you are not alone,' he resonated with those yet to come out. His coming-out journey is not only personal but also an invitation for positive male role models to encourage inclusivity in Australian sports.}