Former AFL player Mitch Brown has shared a confronting personal moment at a Lady Gaga concert, highlighting the ongoing stigma bisexual people face — even after coming out.
Brown, who made history earlier this year as the first openly queer professional AFL/VFL player in the sport’s 129-year history, recounted the moment in an Instagram video posted Saturday. The 36-year-old said a member of the media confronted him at a post-concert function in Melbourne, questioning the legitimacy of his sexuality.
‘I Was Just Minding My Own Business’
“We’re at this function towards the end of the concert,” Brown said, recalling the night after Gaga’s Mayhem Ball show. “I walk into the bathroom, and I hear: ‘Mitch, Mitch, I’ve been meaning to talk to you.’”
That’s when he says he was approached by a staff member from one of Australia’s biggest media organisations.
“She goes, ‘Can I just say this? I just don’t believe you. I don’t believe you’re bisexual. I need you to prove it to me.’”
Caught off guard, Brown said he did his best to explain. But the woman allegedly replied, “Oh, so you’re just gay then?”
‘This Is Why I’m Wary of Football Media’
The encounter left Brown shaken — especially given he was there with his partner, Lou, a woman. “I’ve had these kinds of comments online, but I’ve never had it in person before — having to prove my sexuality,” he said.
Brown has previously expressed hesitancy about engaging with traditional football media. “This is just an example of why that fear still exists for me.”
The response from his followers was swift and supportive. “FFS. AND AT A GAGA CONCERT! I’m sorry mate. You shouldn’t have to answer to this!” one user commented.
Another added: “This is the story for bisexual people the world over — having to prove our sexuality when we’re public about it. Keep fighting the good fight.”
Nine News anchor Peter Hitchener also weighed in: “You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone, Mitch. You know who you are. FULL STOP.”
Shining a Light on Homophobia in Sport
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald last week, Brown reflected on the significance of coming out in AFL — and why he chose to do so.
“When I heard the AFL had gone 129 years without an out queer player — one of the only sports in the world like that — I just thought, enough,” he said. “Because it’s not true. It’s not just me. There are so many others. Let’s get rid of this stat.”
Since his announcement, Brown says he’s received thousands of messages from people of all ages who finally feel seen.
“There were young people, middle-aged men — people on the street — who felt safe enough to tell me their stories. Some of them hadn’t even told their partners or their best mates. How could I not take that on?”
He recalled a moment in a local café when a barista emerged in tears just to thank him.
“He was shaking. He said, ‘I’m a gay man, and you don’t know how much this means to me.’ That’s when the enormity of it all really hit home.”
‘I Didn’t Do This For Me’
Brown says that although he lives a “straight-presenting” life — in a relationship with a woman and out within his close community — he came forward to change perceptions.
“I didn’t do this for me. I wanted to shine a light on homophobia in sport — but more importantly, I wanted to show that as a man, you can show up as who you are, not just what people think you should be.”
