Bisexual AFL star appears to clap back at ‘Brokeback Mountain’ comment
Mitch Brown made history as the AFL’s first out bisexual player. (Getty Images)
Mitch Brown made history as the AFL's first out bisexual player. (Getty Images)
Bisexual Aussie Rules star Mitch Brown appears to have hit back at the “Brokeback Mountain” comment made by another player.
Former West Coast defender Brown made history last month when he came out as bisexual, the first Australian Football League (AFL) player, still playing or not, to do so.
During Mad Monday celebrations, which mark the the end of season, Geelong midfielder Bailey Smith posted a series of photos on his Instagram Story. In one, he appeared looking like Brad Pitt’s character from the film Legends of the Fall, alongside team captain Patrick Dangerfield was dressed as a cowboy from the TV show Yellowstone.
“Or Brokeback Mountain, depends how ya look at it,” the photo was captioned. “This is what losing a granny does to ya.”
Brown didn’t directly refer to the story but took to his own Instagram account to share a picture of Brokeback Australian star Health Ledger, writing: “Just for the record, Heath Ledger’s way hotter.”
In a separate post, he said: “In all seriousness though, guys, do better. Last time I checked, losing a grand final doesn’t make you gay but being homophobic definitely makes you a loser.”
His comments came after Sydney Swans defender Riak Andrew, West Coast Eagles star Jack Graham and Adelaide Crows midfielder Izak Rankine received match bans for homophobia.
Brown’s ex-wife Shae Bolton-Brown, with whom he has two children, said she “couldn’t be prouder” of him after he came out.
After making the announcement, Brown, who played for West Coast Eagles between 2007 and 2016, thanked family, friends and fans, including current partner Lou. “I have been overwhelmed by the kindness, encouragement and solidarity that has poured in from people across Australia and around the world,” he said.
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