AFLW 2023: Geelong star Mikayla Bowen on identifying as bisexual ahead of Pride Round

Mikayla Bowen wasn’t sure about her own story at 14. She opens up on her journey in identifying as bisexual ahead of AFLW Pride Round.

Geelong Cats AFLW player Mikayla Bowen on Pride Steps at Deakin University Waurn Ponds. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mikayla Bowen was 14 when she began to wonder about her own sexuality.

When most of her friends back in Perth were starting to get boyfriends, Bowen thought it would be like that for her as well. She didn’t know any different.

That was until she joined Swan Districts as a teenager, where she found a diverse and welcoming club that opened their arms to a wide range of people in the LGBTIQA+ community.

With a great support network around her, Bowen didn’t fear ridicule from friends and family about coming out. But being part of that football club helped her feel more comfortable about herself as a person and helped her along her journey to identify as bisexual.

Bowen’s partner, Geelong VFLW player and Geelong Amateur product Oliva Stewart, also went through a similar journey.

The Geelong winger has been helping the club prepare for AFLW Pride Round in her role as the club’s Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator, and she has seen first-hand the impact that LGBTIQA+ inclusion can have.

Footy Mikayla Bowen on Pride Steps at Deakin University Waurn Ponds. Picture: Alison Wynd

“(At) 14-15, didn’t necessarily think any different but went to school and for me it wasn’t necessarily talked about. All my friends probably had boyfriends and it is something I just expected as well and didn’t necessarily think otherwise,” Bowen said.

“I didn’t feel like I wasn’t able to come out and be myself, I’m very lucky to have a family that would have loved me either way but … I didn’t know any different.

“Went into Swan Districts football club back in WA and saw how normal it was and how normal it can be and off the back of that I’ve got a partner, Liv Stewart, now and I absolutely adore her and she’s been through a very similar journey.

“So it all started with football for her as well, in terms of understanding and being part of a community that embrace you and love you.

“Ever since joining a sporting club that accepted and loved everyone for who they were, it started my journey for me.

“Being a player myself and also a member of the community it’s something that made me fall in love with the game so much and if anything 14-15 years of age I probably wasn’t necessarily sure about my own story.”

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Bowen has never really experienced homophobia herself, but she knows it is prevalent in society.

She is well aware that the outside world – and the sporting world at large – pales in comparison to the AFLW and Geelong’s women’s side in terms of acceptance and love for the LGBTIQA+ community.

And she knows full well that her AFLW counterparts cop homophobic and misogynistic abuse.

This is what spurs Bowen on to continue pushing LGBTIQA+ inclusion and she hopes that sport can be a safe space for fans and players alike.

She implores anyone who is struggling with their sexuality or identity to do as she did and put themselves in an environment where they can be accepted and loved for who they are.

Liv Fuller, left, Mikayla Bowen, Gabbi Featherston and Kate Darby on the Pride Steps at Deakin University. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I have personally been through a journey as well of sometimes getting caught up in how incredible it is for us at the club and broadening your perspective and understanding that is still not the case for everyone,” Bowen said.

“That’s where I think the drive for change comes for still for me and the passion within that.

“The sporting world may not have been that for a lot of young people originally, but I hope that for the young people in the community if there is any opportunity to get involved or be part of a club or an organization that are really trying to progress in this space.

“I think we have got to continue to take steps forward and I hope whoever it is in our community that hasn’t necessarily felt comfortable does feel comfortable at our club and coming along to pride round.

“Regardless of whether it is homophobic or even gender abuse still, social media is a thing for athletes in general when it comes to being public about.

“And obviously the AFL Women’s competition does get some comments from people who have certain opinions but again we don’t necessarily feel it because we are part of a club and an organisation that has our backs all the way to the men’s program to the entire club, the board.”

PRIDE ROUND

It may seem a simple gesture, but Pride Round means so much to Bowen and the Cats players.

Geelong will run out for the second year in a guernsey designed by the Geelong Cats Pride supporter group and through a LGBTIQA+ banner alongside their round 10 opponents Hawthorn.

Bowen has thoroughly enjoyed being part of the planning process in her role at the club and hopes to see plenty of Cats fans embrace the occasion at GHMBA Stadium on Sunday.

“To me (Pride Round) is everything, it’s a lot more than football and I’ve actually felt extremely grateful to be involved in a lot of the planning behind the lead-up to our Pride Round specifically in my role at the club,”

“Very special and it is very interesting to ask my teammates what it means to them, I know across the board it means a hell of a lot.

“I had no prior experience in this kind of space at all but I have an immense passion for reaching out to diverse communities and the LGBTIQA+ community is one of them and one of them that I find myself being very passionate about.”

“At the end of the day yes, it’s a football game but we are out there and pride round is to broaden the exposure and keep opening our arms to this community.”

Originally published as AFLW 2023: Geelong star Mikayla Bowen on identifying as bisexual ahead of Pride Round