A Week On: Ex-AFL Player Mitch Brown’s Decision to Come Out as Bisexual

A brave step towards breaking down homophobia in sport.

Last week, former AFL player Mitch Brown came out as bisexual in an exclusive with The Daily Aus.

And honestly, it could be one of the most powerful and important stories in Aussie sports this year.

Playing in the AFL.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The Daily Aus (TDA) (@thedailyaus)

Mitch Brown played 94 games in 10 seasons with the West Coast Eagles football club.

After retiring in 2016 at age 28, Brown has now publicly shared that the weight of hiding his sexuality was one of the main reasons he stepped  away from the game.

Brown described how it wasn’t just locker room banter, it was a hostile environment.

Conversations about sexuality, if they came up, were never safe or supportive.

Teammates made comments like, “I’d rather be in a cage full of lions than have a shower next to a gay man,” which made being his true self feel like a risk he didn’t want to take.

His coming-out story.

His decision to come out publicly came in August 2025, following media coverage of the ongoing homophobic incidents in the AFL.

His announcement came through a direct message to The Daily Aus. They published a video about the AFL and the recent homophobic comments. Seeing that video Mitch messaged TDA’s Instagram and said  “Hey Sam, I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I’m a bisexual man.”

That message led to a powerful interview that was published shortly after.

Brown’s announcement came a week after Adelaide Crows star, Izak Rankine, became the sixth AFL player to be suspended over a homophobic slur in the past 18 months.

But Mitch was quick to make it clear that his coming out wasn’t about him being the first or seeking attention.

As he told The Daily Aus, “It’s not about Mitch Brown being the first at all. For me, it’s about sharing my experience so others can feel seen.”

The AFL’s CEO, Andrew Dillon, praised Mitch’s courage, stating, “Mitch has shown great courage today in sharing his story and personal journey. This is an important moment

for him, and for our entire game.”

Why this matters.

Let’s be real, the AFL, along with many male dominated sports, are still places where homophobia is casually thrown around both on the field and in the stands.

And there’s hope that with him coming out, it will make others who belong to the LGBTQ+ group feel a little more seen than they did previously.

@sarahburttt Well done Mitch 🫶🏽 #afl #aflw #mitchbrown #footy #football #sport #sports #fyp #explore #lgbtqi #aussierules #sportnews #explore #explorepage #love ♬ original sound - SEZ

@rhysjameson History made. 🏳️‍🌈 Mitch Brown has become the first openly bisexual player in VFL/AFL history. His courage will change lives - for players, fans, and the next generation who finally see themselves represented on the big stage. Representation matters. Thank you, Mitch. 💙 #AFL #MitchBrown #RepresentationMatters #PrideInSport #LoveIsLove ♬ original sound - Rhys Jameson

If you’re someone who’s ever felt unseen or unsafe being yourself, Brown’s story is for you.

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