Bisexual footballer Mitch Brown reveals ugly accusations directed at him

The AFL’s first openly bisexual player Mitch Brown has addressed ugly accusations that “plenty of people” have sent to him.

Mitch Brown has taken to social media to address ugly accusations that “plenty of people” have sent to him.

The first AFL player to publicly share his bisexual sexual orientation is not taking a step back despite social media users accusing him of being “attention seeking” following his public declaration.

A series of X and Instagram users have posted comments suggesting Brown went too far in calling out some AFL clubs for failing to show immediate public support for his decision to share his sexual orientation last week.

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However, the former West Coast Eagles defender has now given a blunt response.

“Hey I just wanted to address one thing plenty of people are saying, writing directly to me that I’m making this about myself and attention seeking, narcissistic all that stuff... I think isn’t that kind of the point, though?” Brown said in a video shared on his Instagram stories.

“I’m trying to create attention, attention about a message around homophobia and hyper masculinity in places where we consider, Australians consider a safe space. So it’s kind of the point. So, yeah, I am attention seeking.”

Brown on Saturday singled out Collingwood, Geelong, Adelaide and Brisbane as clubs who had at the time not shown him any public support.

“Collingwood, might not pay my membership next year at this rate,” the lifelong Magpies supporter wrote.

“Geelong, you know my bro works with you right?

“Hey Adelaide... nah I won’t even bother.

“Brisbane Lions you’re off the hook. The Taylor Swift engagement is so much bigger than this.

“Who’s next?”

That last comment was a dig at the Lions’ admin team, who posted a photo of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement on Instagram on Wednesday, but no mention of Brown.

In a separate post, Brown thanked other clubs that had posted messages of support.

“To the 6 clubs who stood up with me, thank you,” he wrote.

“It means so much, not only to me but also to your incredible supporters, particularly those for whom it matters most. Love you.”

Mitch Brown has addressed the backlash in a video shared on his Instagram stories.

Brown earned widespread praise from the footy community after he became the first player in 129 years of AFL/VFL history to share that he is bisexual.

In an Instagram post shared on Sunday, Brown said a special “thankyou” to his partner Lou.

“It has been a few days since I shared my story, and I’ve had space to let it all sink in. Before it went live there was a part of me that was worried about the homophobia or potential backlash I might receive,” Brown wrote on social media.

“What happened instead was that the story was met with an overwhelmingly positive response, for which I am so grateful. With that I’d like to share a few thoughts.

“First, I want to thank my partner Lou. Her love, strength and resilience have been my anchor through all of this.”

The former Eagle also heaped praise on Lou during his extensive interview with The Daily Aus and revealed her message ahead of the interview.

“She goes, ‘Hey Mitch, I’m so bloody proud of you’,” he said. “This is my partner, who’s a woman, holding my hand as we are walking to share my experience about being a bisexual man.”

Mitch and his ex-wife Shae who was supportive of his decision.

Mitch Brown and his partner Lou.

Brown said he felt overcome by the outpouring of love he had received after his interview was published on Wednesday.

“I have been overwhelmed by the kindness, encouragement, and solidarity that has poured in from people across Australia and around the world. Every message, every story shared, every word of support has meant more to me than I can say. I will carry that gratitude with me always,” he wrote.

“The fact this has been so positively received gives me hope for what this might mean for young people, especially queer young Australians, who are still finding their place in the world. If even one of them feels less alone, less afraid, or more confident to be themselves, then it has been worth it.

“This is also a call to action. It’s time for the AFL and the clubs to commit to genuine change, embedding inclusion not just in words, but in culture, policies, and everyday actions.

“If we can make our game a place where everyone belongs, the ripple effect on Australian society will be profound.

“I look forward to joining the movement that started long before me, to create a safer, more inclusive sport, and society for everyone.”

Brown said he had hoped his announcement would make it easier for footy players to come out in the future.

“There are currently gay and bisexual men playing in the AFL at the moment and in the past,” he said.

“I only feel OK to ‘take this title’, this is not about me, it’s not about Mitch Brown being the first at all. For me it’s about sharing my experience so others can feel seen. Others can have a role model.

“I’m not famous, previously. Many people wouldn’t know that I played footy for 10 years.

“But maybe there’ll be that second person and then the third. Maybe it’ll be a current player and as that community grows, the empathy grows.

“If this has an impact on one person, it’s worth it, it matters.”

Originally published as Bisexual footballer Mitch Brown reveals ugly accusations directed at him