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An openly gay Australian comedian has risen to the defence of Geelong star Bailey Smith after the 24-year-old midfielder was criticised for being ‘homophobic’ following a social media post he published during the Cats Mad Monday post-season celebrations.
ABC star Josh Thomas took to Instagram to tell people to ‘leave Bailey alone,’ adding ‘we’ve got to stop calling people that aren’t homophobic, homophobic.’
Smith, who placed third in this year’s Brownlow Medal voting count following a standout season, arrived at the post-season party dressed as Brad Pitt’s character Tristan Ludlow from the movie ‘Legends of the Fall’.
Other members of the Cats’ AFL squad also donned fancy dress costumes, with Max Holmes dressing as respected footy journalist Caroline Wilson, while Brad Close copied renowned Geelong superfan, The Catman, by painting his face like a cat and donning a headband.
Smith, though, was blasted by former player Mitch Brown - who made history earlier this year for coming out as the AFL’s first openly bisexual player.
The 24-year-old published a photo of himself and Patrick Dangerfield on Instagram, with the latter appearing to place his hand on Smith’s stomach. The former Western Bulldog captioned the post: ‘Or Brokeback Mountain, depends on how ya look at it.’
Bailey Smith (left, pictured with Patrick Dangerfield) has been criticised after the footy star appeared to make a reference to Brokeback Mountain on his Instagram. The Geelong player had dressed with a western theme, before writing: 'This is what losing a Granny does to ya,' on his Instagram
Thomas took to Instagram to tell Aussies to 'leave Bailey (pictured) alone' after the footy star has received widespread flak
It came after Mitch Brown, who is the AFL's first openly bisexual player, called Smith 'a loser' and added 'last time I checked losing a Grand Final doesn't make you gay'
He added: ‘This is what losing a granny does to ya. Alright, phone away now. Bye.’
Brown, though, appeared disappointed by the Instagram post, taking note of Smith’s Brokeback Mountain reference, before taking a swipe at the Cats player on Instagram, writing: ‘Just for the record, Heath Ledger’s way hotter.’
He added in a separate post: ‘In all seriousness, though, guys do better. Last time I checked, losing a Grand Final doesn’t make you gay but being homophobic definitely makes you a loser.’
But Aussie TV star Thomas has hit back at the Geelong star’s critics online.
‘Leave Bailey alone,’ he wrote on his Instagram story, adding a photo of the Geelong star. ‘Bringing people down is the least empowering way to find comfort in your queerness.’
He added: ‘We’ve got to stop calling people that aren’t homophobic, homophobic. It widens the divide and alienates people.
‘It gets reported so loudly that it makes it look like queer people are oversensitive or are anti-fun. I don’t want our story hijacked like that!
Thomas went on to add: ‘Bringing people down is the least empowering way to find comfort in your queerness'
Thomas then published a message in which he stated 'we've got to stop calling people that aren't homophobic, homophobic'
Smith reached out to Thomas on Instagram and appeared to show his appreciation for showing his support to the footy star
‘He [Smith] never said losing the Grand Final makes you gay. That intention was insinuated by other people and then was ran with as raw fact.
‘The post is now being called homophobic in headlines without any context.
‘Being called a homophobe on the internet is very serious!!!’ Thomas said.
‘It launches a swarm of people to attack. It’s brutal. We can’t just be out there doing that.’
Thomas, who has appeared in several TV shows, including ‘Please Like Me’ and ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Okay’, also received a response from Smith, after he published the Instagram stories online.
Smith privately messaged him to write: ‘Love you,’ to which Thomas replied: ‘I love youuuuu.’
More to follow...
