US college basketball star Derrick Gordon comes out as gay
By Nick Levine
US college basketball star Derrick Gordon has come out as gay.
Gordon (pictured right), who plays for the University of Massachusetts team, becomes the first out gay player in Division 1 men’s college basketball.
Explaining his decision to speak publicly about his sexuality, the 22-year-old told ESPN: “I just didn’t want to hide anymore, in any way. 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 came out to his family, coaches and teammates earlier this month (April) and said that his fellow players were immediately supportive.
After he shared his sexuality with his teammates, Gordon recalled, one player said to him: “We got you; you’re one of us.” Gordon and four other members of the team then ate dinner together that night.
“Before, I usually just kept to myself because I didn’t want to lie or be fake,” Gordon added. “But not anymore. I feel so good right now. It’s like this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”
In February of this year, Jason Collins signed a contract with the Brooklyn Nets NBA (National Basketball Association) team, and became the first out gay player in any of North America’s four major professional sports: baseball, basketball, American football and ice hockey.
Collins has taken to Twitter today (April 9) to applaud Derrick Gordon’s bravery in coming out – see below.
