Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Former West Coast player Mitch Brown has made a candid confession about his identity nine months after coming out as the AFL’s first past or present bisexual player.
Brown made the public admission in August last year, but on Thursday conceded his sexuality did not prevent him from falling into the “Manosphere pipeline”.
“I just want to be honest and show you how easily anyone can fall down this path,” Brown said in a video posted on Instagram.
“A couple years ago I noticed, and it was pointed out by two important people in my life, that I was going down the Manosphere pipeline.”
The timing aligned with Brown’s marriage break-up and a less than pleasant period at work.
He recalled feeling “rejected” and a sense the world was against him despite being aware of the privileges he carries.
“The content that I was consuming on my phone, the videos that I could relate to were potentially harmful content for boys and men,” he added.
“To be honest, it made me feel seen, it made me feel good — and that’s what the Manosphere preys on.
“It turns you against the world, and tries to make you buy into restoring the patriarchy.”
Brown credits his ex-wife Shae Bolton-Brown, and current partner Louisa Keck, for pulling him out of the “toxic” state of mind.
The retired AFL player shares two children with former Aussie netballer Bolton-Brown, and is expecting his first with mental health advocate and podcaster Keck.
He understood how easily one could be “sucked in” to such ideologies, which he believes have been given a platform to thrive on social media.
Apprehensive about sharing such a revelation, Brown hoped to expand the conversation.
“Bit nervous to post this as it’s definitely not a time in my life I’m proud of but I think it’s important to share and talk about, particularly so we can help others when they’re heading down a similar path,” he captioned the post.
Receiving a wave of supportive comments in response, the Melbourne-based figure was commended by retired North Melbourne forward Ben Brown for being continuing to be vulnerable.
“Such an important share mate. Thanks for doing so. I can definitely relate and look back to some harmful attitudes I used to hold as a younger man and there’s definitely shame attached to the fact that I once held them,” Brown said.“The power, though, as you said, is in being open to listening, learning and growing into a better version of yourself. You should be proud of yourself for doing that!”
Fans of Brown admitted they had experienced similar feelings around masculinity at various stages.
“I often look back on my Facebook memories and some of the things I used to believe in or say are definitely not in alignment with the person I am today. I think it’s beautiful to reflect back and see the growth or to look back and see what happened etc,” one person said.
Another added: “More men sharing more stories like this is exactly what’s needed. Even better that you’re acknowledging the work that women are predominately doing to course correct this for so many men in their life. Hats off to you man.”
Since his trial-blazing admission in August, Brown has continued to speak openly about the acceptance of sexuality in sport, as well as the wider community.
He has been well-supported in his endeavours by Keck, who shares similar views on breaking down stereotypes.
“We spoke out because we were fed up with toxic behaviours being normalised in hyper-masculine spaces, especially in men’s sport,” she shared in April.
“Creating safer, more inclusive environments and redefining manhood matters deeply to us.”
