Former A-League Player Andy Brennan Becomes First Openly Gay Australian Male Soccer Player
Andy Brennan a former A-League soccer player and current Green Gully attacker has come out as gay on Instagram.
In his post he said “It’s taken me years to get comfortable saying this – I’m gay,”
“I was scared it would affect my friendships, my teammates, and my family. But the support of the people around me has been so great and helped me get to the final step; being completely open.
“Being open is the best way for me to feel most comfortable and be myself”
Following his coming out he has also posted a video thanking people for their support.
Brennan, who played five matches for A-League club Newcastle Jets in 2016, told the Herald Sun homosexuality is still stigmatised in football.
“Statistically speaking, people playing sport, whether it would be football or AFL or any sport, you’d think there were more who would be gay,” he said.
“There is a bit of stigma within the sport and if people are going through what I went through, (they may think) it’s not okay because of not being accepted.”
“This isn’t a call for those people to come out and tell everyone who they are. They shouldn’t have to, shouldn’t need to.”
“If there’s people out who’ve had that burden, especially playing sport, and feel like they can’t be who they are in a professional or amateur environment, it’s vital they see others accepted.”
Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) chief executive John Didulica said: “It is really encouraging that football has provided Andy a safe and inclusive environment to share his story and to feel comfortable to come out publicly.”
We’re not doing our job well enough if participants have a perception that their sexuality prevents them excelling or from building the trusting friendships that are the cornerstone of sport.”
