Rachel asked the government to take meaningful steps to eradicate the deeply ingrained homophobic culture in the Australian Football League.
Wednesday the 10th of September 2025
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and the action I seek is for the minister to take meaningful steps to stamp out the AFL’s homophobic culture. The AFL recently made history, finally losing its title as the only major professional men’s sport anywhere in the world to have never had an openly gay or bisexual player, even after retirement. It only took 128 years.
I want to acknowledge and commend the immense bravery of former West Coast Eagles defender Mitch Brown, who has come out as the first current or former openly bisexual male player in AFL history. Mitch stayed silent out of fear, citing a culture of homophobia and hypermasculinity that played a big part in his decision to retire. In one story he shared, he talked about how a fellow player was disgusted at the idea of showering around a gay player and said he would prefer to be in a cage full of lions.
While this is a moment to celebrate Mitch, it is not a moment to celebrate the AFL. In the last year and a half alone, there have been six publicised incidents of homophobia within the AFL. Behind closed doors there would be many more. There is a deeply ingrained culture of homophobia in the AFL, and the reality is Mitch is not alone. Around 3.6 per cent of the population and one in 10 20- to 24-year-olds report a sexuality other than heterosexuality. The actual percentage is likely to be even higher. This means there are hundreds if not thousands of current and former AFL players who are not straight but who remain closeted out of fear.
The AFL is Victoria’s sport. It is absolutely unacceptable that this is not a safe space for LGBTIQA+ people. Until the AFL’s homophobic culture is ripped out by the root and players stop getting a slap on the wrist for using slurs, nothing will change. In the AFLW, there is a proudly large number of players who are part of the LGBTIQA+ community, but spectator culture remains an issue. When Tyabb women’s football team’s Kate McCallum proposed to her partner Bec Strickland on the field, the announcement was met with a tidal wave of homophobic hate on social media. Hate is not funny. It keeps people in the closet, and it puts lives at risk, so I ask: will the minister take meaningful steps to stamp out the AFL’s homophobic culture?
Written response received, 3rd of October 2025:
I thank the Member for the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region for her question.
The Victorian Government is committed to creating sporting opportunities that are safe, welcoming and inclusive of all Victorians, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Sport provides a key setting to help showcase and celebrate diversity within our community.
I’d like to applaud former West Coast Eagles player, Mitch Brown, for the courage he has shown in sharing his story and becoming the first current or former openly bisexual male player in the AFL.
In recent years, former AFL North Melbourne great Danielle Laidley has also shown great leadership and pride in being her true self which has been well-documented. She’s a true pioneer of the AFL and the equality movement in Australia and I hope her story will result in more gender diverse people being embraced by the sport they love.
I acknowledge that there have recently been several incidents of homophobic slurs made by current AFL players. Sporting organisations including the AFL determine their own policies to protect staff and players from discrimination in line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) and the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010.
Through the 10-year strategy for LGBTIQA+ equality Pride in our Future, the Victorian Government continues breaking down barriers to LGBTIQA+ Victorians living freely and safely in all settings, including sports.
The Fair Play Code for sport has been in place since July 2018 and is guided by the five principles of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness and Safety. Organisations receiving funding from the Victorian Government are required to adhere to and promote the Fair Play Code.
The Government also funds Proud 2 Play through the Together More Active 2023-27 grant program for initiatives that advance opportunities and inclusivity for LGBTIQA+ people in sporting clubs and associations.
The Victorian Government continues to work with Vicsport to support the sport and active recreation sector and ensure that it is safe and inclusive for all participants. Vicsport provides a range of resources, including an LGBTIQA+ language guide, LGBTIQA+ sports clubs directory, an online resource hub and a partnership with Proud 2 Play for its Rainbow Road Clubs program – a five-step plan to achieve rainbow ready status.
The Victorian Government also supports Play by the Rules, a national platform that provides information and resources to promote LGBTIQA+ inclusion in sport and prevent and respond to harassment and discrimination.
While we are proud to continue our support of these initiatives, we acknowledge that more is required in terms of interventions and incentives to drive genuine and lasting behavioural changes.
Steve Dimopoulos MP
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events
Related:
> LGBTIQA+ Equality – Rachel Payne
> LGBTIQA+ legal service launched in the south-east – Rachel Payne
> LGBTIQA+ rights and Anti-vilification laws – Rachel Payne
> Justice Legislation – Anti-vilification Protections Expanded – Rachel Payne
> Transgender Day of Remembrance – Rachel Payne
