- Leigh Ryswyk, a former Brisbane Lions player, has publicly come out as gay, becoming the first male player from the Australian Football League (AFL) to do so.
- The 41-year-old revealed his sexuality during a radio interview, noting that while close friends know, he had kept his private life largely out of the public eye.
- Ryswyk said that although clubs would likely support players, external pressures from fans and media could still deter others from coming out.
- He expressed hope that sharing his story would encourage other sportsmen to be themselves and contribute to an environment where public declarations of sexuality are eventually unnecessary.
- His announcement has been met with overwhelming support from the public, his former clubs, and the AFL chief executive.
IN FULL
Leigh Ryswyk comes out as AFL’s first gay footballer: ‘We want to feel safe anywhere we go’
