In what has quickly become The Year of the Gay Athlete, University
of Massachusetts sophomore Derrick Gordon announced that he is gay this
morning, making him the first openly gay player in Division I men’s college
basketball.
Gordon told ESPN that he was inspired to come out to his
family, coaches, and teammates after watching the overwhelmingly positive
reaction to Jason Collins becoming the first openly gay man in the NBA.
“That was so important to me,” he said of the first time Jason
Collins entered the court, receiving a standing ovation, “knowing that sexuality
didn’t matter, that the NBA was OK with it.”
“I just didn’t want to hide anymore, in any way,” Gordon told ESPN.
“I didn’t want to have to lie or sneak. I’ve been waiting and watching for the
last few months, wondering when a Division I player would come out, and finally
I just said, ‘Why not me?’”
Gordon’s coming-out has apparently been a year in the making — he
says he contacted Wade Davis, executive director at You Can Play, about a year
ago and began making connections that have been “instrumental” to his process.
“He’s like a little brother to me,” Davis said. “I’ve watched him
grow into a confident young man who is ready to be a leader on and off the
court. His fearless desire to be his authentic self and his personal story of
triumph will inspire others and continue to expand consciousness.”
Gordon says immediately after he came out, one of his teammates
said “We got you, you’re one of us.”
He is a wonderfully brave man. So much negativity already being thrown his way. As a community, we need to have his back.
ReplyDeletewe sure do!
DeleteI am glad to see so many taking the bull by the horns & developing a comfort for who they are. it's okay.to be who are you are & others will or won't accept it. At the end of the day that is their issue. I don't compromised who I am or what I enjoy today but my story is not much different them the coming out stories you are seeing in the news
ReplyDeletemore and more shall follow
Delete