Brittney Griner, star basketball player at Baylor University and #1 overall selection in Monday’s WNBA draft, has come out publicly as gay:
“Don’t worry about what other people are going to say, because they’re always going to say something, but, if you’re just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don’t hide who you really are.”
Kudos to Ms. Griner for being who she is.
Kazzy
One man. Two boys. Twelve kids.
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But how could she have let Louisville sneak past them like that?Report
In all honesty, this has raised almost no eyebrows in the sports world- the reaction almost seems to be, “yeah, and? Tell us something we hadn’t already figured out.” I do not believe that would be true if even a third-string NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL player were to come out.
This is a double standard worth discussing. Also, LZ Granderson’s piece on this topic is – as usual for him – outstanding.Report
All fair points, Mark. I considered exploring that dynamic here but felt that unfair to Ms. Griner. Regardless of how the media responds, it is good that she felt comfortable and confident coming out; the strength of her words simply make that point more resounding. So rather than use her acknowledgement as something else, I thought it best to just recognize it.
And I’ll co-sign on your endorsement of Granderson, both in that piece and in general. Have you seen his TEDTalk on “the gay agenda”?Report
I think that given Baylor’s approach to LGBT issues, it’s a somewhat big deal that she is now so publicly out.Report
Good point, though I’m not sure how much that angle has really permeated the national media.Report
What was Baylore’s approach to LGBT issues?Report
Kazzy, they won’t let gay students form an official student group, a few years ago they removed a member of their advisory board because he was gay, and they’re just generally not very friendly to gay students.Report
Note that Baylor is a Baptist school, a member of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and aligned with the Southern Baptist Convention.Report
There a private baptist college in Texas. Guess. Or put it this way, it was on the list of ‘most LGBT unfriendly’ colleges in the Princeton Review in 2010 and 2009, which obviously aren’t scientific studies, but for the most part, there lists “sound” right when looking at them.Report
Thanks. I think I knew in the back of my mind that they were religiously-affiliated but I didn’t know specifics.
She indicates that her orientation wasn’t necessarily a secret, but she never discussed it publicly or with the media. I’m curious who knew there and what the internal response was, including whether she faced pressure to avoid talking about it.Report
I have to admit the thing that’s getting me is seeing the comment threads at ESPN et. al. where you see a lot of truly vile and ignorant statements.Report
Why oh why would you ever read the comments section at ESPN, or any news site?Report
“Don’t hide who you really are.”
But, that’s exactly what she did.
She waited until she had used up all her eligibility as a college player (including taking advantage of a full ride scholarship) and waited until she had secured the #1 pick in the draft before “finding her voice”.Report
Eh, I think this is unfair. It looks like anyone who was close enough to her for her sexual orientation to be in any way relevant knew. She simply didn’t tell you or me, and why we need to know is beyond me. She didn’t hide it, she simply didn’t broadcast it to the world.Report
Well said, Chris.Report
Yeah, I’m not inclined to judge anyone for their timing in how they reveal personal information that I personally have no particular need to know.Report