Former participant makes historical past by popping out as bisexual

[ad_1] A former Aussie Guidelines participant has come out as the primary brazenly homosexual or bisexual man within the Australian Soccer League's (AFL) 129-year historical past.

Mitch Brown, who performed 94 matches for the West Coast Eagles from between 2007 and 2016, advised The Day by day Aus that the load of hiding his sexuality performed a "big" half in his choice to retire.

He added that he hopes his choice to talk out will create the "security, consolation and house" for others to return ahead.

The information marks a pivotal second for the AFL, which earlier than Brown's announcement, was the one main skilled males's sport globally to by no means have had an brazenly homosexual or bisexual participant, even after retirement.

Brown first shared the information in a direct message to The Day by day Aus's social media account after watching protection of latest incidents of homophobia within the AFL.

"I performed within the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I am a bisexual man," he wrote.

The choice to talk out got here from a "feeling of peace... consolation and confidence" that he did not have whereas hiding his sexuality when he was an lively participant, Brown stated.

"It was by no means as soon as a possibility to talk brazenly or discover your emotions or questions in a protected manner," he added.

Brown described a tradition of "hyper-masculinity" within the AFL, the place he heard "numerous" homophobic feedback hurled at him on the sphere.

"Once I was rising up in school, the phrase 'homosexual' was thrown round continuously… For a person in Australia, [it was seen as] most likely the weakest factor you would be."

He additionally recalled having a dialog with teammates about how they might really feel having to bathe subsequent to a homosexual man.

"One of many gamers stated 'I might quite be in a cage stuffed with lions than have a bathe subsequent to a homosexual man.'"

Brown, 36, is at the moment in a relationship with a feminine associate and was beforehand married to former netball participant Shae Bolton, with whom he shares two sons.

The announcement comes after a number of high-profile homophobic incidents within the AFL.

Final week, Adelaide Crows participant Izak Rankine obtained a four-week ban for utilizing a "extremely offensive" homophobic slur throughout a recreation.

Addressing the incident, Brown stated he want to see a "sense of change" within the league via the lifting up of "constructive male function fashions".

"My recommendation to the AFL could be, let's have fun the gamers who will not be probably the most profitable, however they're crucial gamers in our neighborhood."