When former West Coast player Mitch Brown became the first openly bisexual male player in the AFL’s 129-year history, Tara Bohanna felt a mixture of relief and awe.
The Carlton AFLW player saw the news online in August and recalled feeling grateful for Brown’s candour and courage.
Carlton AFLW players and their new guernseys ahead of Pride Round.Credit: Morgan Hancock
“I feel like it’s been in the media so much around when’s it gonna happen, and I think it was such a brave thing for him to do,” she said.
“You can’t be what you can’t see, and maybe it will make more of that conversation happen. You can start to be yourself and hopefully the men’s side can be a bit more accommodating of that, because it does feel like it’s something that’s not as welcome.
AFLW Carlton star Tara Bohanna.Credit: Morgan Hancock
“But hopefully, it can start to get there.”
Carlton have unveiled their new pride guernseys ahead of the AFLW’s annual pride – spanning across two weeks in rounds nine and 10.
Designed by Vietnamese illustrator and graphic designer Zo Lam, the guernsey features ripples of the LGBTQ and transgender flag.
Bohanna – who moved to Carlton this year following three seasons with the Suns as captain – said pride round was a key part of the AFLW and a special moment in the fixture for the LGBTQ community.
“Obviously, there’s a long way to go in the men’s space, but from the W side… it’s just the inclusion and how you can just be yourself,” she said.
“As someone who is in a same-sex relationship, it’s not something that’s at the front of your mind, it’s so natural.”
The 29-year-old met her partner Jade Pregelj when the pair played for Gold Coast, describing her as “the most supportive, loyal and caring person ever”.
“I think about Mitch Brown coming out, and him having to struggle with not feeling like he can be himself,” she continued.
“I don’t even have to think about it, it’s just who you are, and everyone’s so accepting of that.”
To say it’s been a challenging few months for the pride community in the footy landscape would be an understatement. In August, Adelaide star Izak Rankine received a discounted suspension of four matches for directing a homophobic slur at a Collingwood opponent.
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Rankine – who issued a public apology – became the sixth AFL-listed player to be suspended for an on-field homophobic comment in the past two seasons.
Geelong star Bailey Smith also copped criticism for his Mad Monday social media posts last week, referencing Brokeback Mountain with the caption, “This is what losing a granny does to ya.”
Brown responded on social media, posting, “Last time I checked, losing a grand final doesn’t make you gay, but being homophobic definitely makes you a loser.”
Geelong later delivered a public apology and scrapped future Mad Monday events.
Bohanna, who will miss Carlton’s clash with the Swans on Sunday with a foot injury, would like to see the AFL shine a bigger light on inclusivity in the men’s league.
“Obviously, we do have the pride round, but maybe that’s something that can be brought into the men’s,” she said.
“I guess the hard bit is just, especially in the men’s space… is the social media side of it and all the trolls that get pretty savage to be honest,” she said. “Whereas, in the women’s space, we probably don’t cop that as much, but that also comes from the community being so accepting of it.”
Carlton Pride group founder and president Dr David Gould said Pride round was about bringing the community together and reminding everyone that football was a space for everyone.
Carlton AFLW players with Carlton Pride president David Gould.Credit: Morgan Hancock
“People on social media often will often leave comments saying, ‘What does sexuality have to do with football?’, and my answer is nothing,” Gould said. “We just want to make the space inclusive.”
“Often it’s heterosexual males, a minority of them, who make it about sexuality, because they’re the ones that yell out homophobic comments.
“I think Pride round is a real leader in helping changing attitudes, and you can see those changing attitudes in young people.”
