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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPosted on 12 March, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen Mitch Brown became the first openly bisexual male AFL player, he shifted the national conversation.<\/p>\n
In the 129-year history of the AFL, no male player had ever publicly identified as gay or bisexual. That changed in August 2025 when Mitch exclusively\u00a0told his story<\/a> to The Daily Aus.<\/p>\n Shining a light on the importance of inclusion in a sport that has struggled to create safe environments for queer men, it was an historic moment \u2013 and for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community, the representation on a national stage was unlike anything they had ever seen before.<\/p>\n Now, Mitch is coming to Canberra for an in-conversation event on Wednesday 18 March \u00a0in partnership with the Queer Run CBR<\/a> \u2013 a community\u2011driven club created to provide a safe, inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ people and allies to move, connect and belong.<\/p>\n Welcoming runners, walkers, rollers, first\u2011timers, and lifelong athletes, the club began in 2024 when Queer Run CBR President Alex (they\/them) realised something vital was missing from mainstream sporting environments: a space where queer people could participate without having to explain themselves or justify their right to belong.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially for trans and gender\u2011diverse people, sporting spaces can feel intimidating or unsafe. I set out to change that, to create a place where people could move without fear, find connection, and be celebrated exactly as they are,\u201d explains Alex.<\/p>\n \u201cOur mission is to make movement joyful and accessible, particularly for trans and gender\u2011diverse people who have historically faced barriers in mainstream sport.\u201d<\/p>\n Bringing Mitch to Canberra to reflect on his groundbreaking coming out journey and the broader landscape of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport, Queer Run CBR Vice President Roxie (they\/them) says hosting the event felt like a \u201cnatural and important\u201d step for the club.<\/p>\n They believe that the impact of Mitch\u2019s coming-out story has deeply resonated with the community at Queer Run CBR, noting that his courage highlights the ongoing need for visibility and honest dialogue in Australian sport,<\/p>\n \u201cMany of our members have stepped away from sport because they didn\u2019t feel safe or supported, and seeing authentic sporting icons \u2013 and bi-cons \u2013 encourages us to keep pushing for a future where queer athletes don\u2019t have to choose between the sport they love and the truth of who they are,\u201d says Roxie.<\/p>\n \u201cAFLW players and clubs have consistently been at the forefront of LGBTQIA+ inclusion, leading Pride Rounds, showing visible allyship, and creating some of the most welcoming environments in Australian sport. By bringing Mitch into this conversation, we\u2019re bridging these two realities: the progress happening in women\u2019s football, and the urgent need for men\u2019s sport to catch up.\u201d<\/p>\n As Alex puts it, visible advocates like Mitch are powerful. \u00a0When someone in a hyper\u2011masculine sport \u2013 like AFL \u2013 steps forward, it challenges long\u2011held stereotypes and opens space for others to feel safe in their identities.<\/p>\n \u201cThis carries particular weight in the ACT,\u201d they explain.<\/p>\n \u201cCanberra has a passionate AFL community, with local clubs, thriving junior pathways, and strong support for both AFL and AFLW programs. When someone from a sport with such reach chooses to live openly, the ripple effect is felt locally as much as nationally.\u201d<\/p>\n The Queer Run CBR in conversation with Mitch Brown event<\/a> is an opportunity for clubs, coaches, players, educators and allies to explore how they can build sporting and educational spaces where all people feel safe, seen, and celebrated.<\/p>\n With 100 per cent of ticket prices donated to\u00a0Minus18 to support Australian LGBTQIA+ young people<\/a>, attendees will also be investing directly in the wellbeing and futures of young queer people across the country.<\/p>\n \u201cGuests can expect an honest, engaging, and uplifting conversation with Mitch Brown about LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport, the barriers that still exist, and the opportunities we all have to drive meaningful change,\u201d says Alex.<\/p>\n \u201cMitch is also a fantastic storyteller, so expect plenty of laughs, as well as some moving moments. We will have a raffle with some great prizes from IONIC Athletics<\/a>, InterSport<\/a> Fyshwick and Queer Food<\/a>. All proceeds from the raffle, like the tickets, will be donated to Minus18.\u201d<\/p>\n Diving into Mitch\u2019s courageous decision to publicly share his identity, Alex and Roxie believe that events like this one can help challenge outdated narratives and spotlight the voices that have too often been ignored.<\/p>\n And as they continue to focus on the Queer Run CBR\u2019s mission to make movement joyful and accessible for the LGBTQIA+ community, it\u2019s for one powerful reason: inclusion elevates everyone, not just those who need it most.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen athletes, coaches, and supporters feel safe to show up as themselves, teams become stronger, more cohesive and more connected. Teams perform better, build deeper relationships and stay involved in sport for longer,\u201d says Roxie.<\/p>\n \u201cLocal teams in Canberra can make positive change by making public statements of inclusion, offering flexible uniform options or celebrating pride rounds. Small steps help build environments that support authenticity, making sport safer and more joyful for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n THE ESSENTIALS<\/p>\n What: Queer Run CBR in conversation with Mitch Brown Feature image: (L-R) Queer Run CBR President Alex and Queer Run CBR Vice President Roxie. Credit:\u00a0George Serras.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t
When: Wednesday 18 March, 6.30 pm \u2013 8.30 pm
Where: Ainslie Football & Social Club, Ainslie\u00a0
Tickets + more information: events.humanitix.com\/qrc-mitchbrown<\/a><\/p>\n