Michael Sam said he knew 'damn sure' he was gay after his first
sexual experience and credited his fiancé with giving him the self-confidence
to come out.
The first openly gay NFL footballer Friday (February) received an
Upstander Award at the Time to THRIVE gay youth conference in Portland,
organized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
In his acceptance speech, Sam paid tribute to his fiancé Vito
Cammisano.
'Vito has been with me for a long time and actually it is because
of Vito that I am here tonight to talk to you guys,' he said.
'He is the only one who made me comfortable to be who I am; to be
comfortable in my own skin. And without him, this would never be possible. I
owe him everything.'
The footballer said that he knew he was 'different' growing up but
he did not know as gay.
'I didn't know I was gay, I just knew I was different. But I always
knew I had football. So, I was like, you know, when I go to college I will
experiment. I will see if – maybe, I'm not gay. Maybe, it's a phase,' he
said.
'But after that first time, I knew pretty damn sure I was.'
HRC said by coming out, Sam sent 'an invaluable message' to gay
youth.
'We are excited and privileged to recognize Michael Sam, and his
brave commitment to leading an authentic life in a profession that has been
historically unwelcoming to LGBT people,' said Vincent Pompei, chair of Time to
THRIVE and director of the HRC Foundation’s youth well-being project.
'By coming out, Michael sent an invaluable message to young LGBT
Americans that anything is possible for them – even playing in the NFL.'
I knew that I was "gay" long before that first gay experience. In fact my first few
ReplyDelete"gay" experiences were not great! But things improved! Hugs, Patrick
It is a learning curve
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