‘Courageous’: NBL star comes out to teammates as first openly gay player as NBA reacts
Melbourne United centre Isaac Humphries has come out as the primary brazenly homosexual participant in a top-tier males’s basketball league.
Humphries shared the news to teammates on Wednesday morning, posting a video of the second by way of his social media.
He additionally opened up the struggles he handled in coming to phrases together with his sexuality, revealing he even tried to take his personal life a number of years in the past.
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“A few years ago, I fell into a very dark place, a very lonely place,” Humphries instructed United teammates and different staffers.
“I couldn‘t be who I am, and I attempted to take my life. The main reason behind me becoming so low and being in that point is because I was very much struggling with my sexuality and coming to terms with the fact that I’m gay.
“I hated it about myself. I was disgusted at myself. I thought that I could not be that person within our environment, within a basketball environment. It wasn’t until I was in a community that’s full of pride and happiness and joy; it was a big wake-up call for me.
“But then came the big question mark of how do I be a basketball player, and how do I join a new team when I‘ve finally come to terms with this about myself and I don’t wanna hide who I am anymore.
“I decided that, if I’m gonna join a team, that I’m gonna come out publicly, and just make sure people know that you can live. And you don’t have to hide, just because you’re an athlete.”
The 24-year previous joins A-League participant Josh Cavallo as the one brazenly homosexual male athlete throughout the nation’s main sporting codes.
Humphries is the second skilled basketball participant to return out as homosexual whereas taking part in in a top-tier league after former NBA centre Jason Collins did so in 2013.
United threw its help behind Humphries after the announcement together with coach Dean Vickerman saying he was stuffed with admiration of the participant.
“We love Isaac here at the club. For him to feel comfortable to be his true self here is great, and we couldn’t be more proud of him,” Vickerman mentioned.
“We can’t underestimate how difficult this must have been for Isaac, but I’m really excited by the fact that he can be completely open and honest with his teammates and now ultimately, the world. It’s huge.
“Isaac has also made it clear to me and the rest of the team that while this is a massive occasion for him off the court, his focus remains on the court. We will continue to support Isaac however we can, while also pursuing another NBL championship with this group.”
Humphries has averaged 12 factors, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per sport for United this season.
He performed two years in school at Kentucky and has additionally had stints within the NBA, NBA-League and Europe throughout his skilled basketball profession.
Pride In Sport’s nationwide program supervisor Beau Newell applauded Humphries for his “courage” and “leadership” in paving the way in which for athletes to be their genuine selves.
“His bravery is to be congratulated and his journey shows the unfortunate reality that many athletes face when they are not able to enjoy the sport they love as their true selves,” Newell mentioned.
“Like Humphries, many athletes self-edit their existence in sport and expend a good deal of their daily energy on hiding their true self from others. His statement highlights the fear that many athletes have in coming out: that they will face potential discrimination, harassment, bullying from those within their sport and loss of professional opportunities.
“… Sport has an amazing opportunity to provide a safe and inclusive environment to all people, including people with diverse genders and sexualities. We congratulate Melbourne United and the NBL for providing a player with a welcoming, supportive, and safe professional environment where he can be himself.
“We applaud Humphries for sharing his story and couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Dr Erik Denison, an professional at Monash University’s BehaviourWorks Australia, mentioned there’s nonetheless lots that must be carried out to make gamers like Humphries really feel welcome.
“It’s great to see Isaac’s team supporting him, but they need to do much more than this. Basketball is not safe for gay and bisexual kids,” he mentioned.
“We need basketball’s leaders to invest in strategies to stop harmful homophobic behaviours in their sport. These behaviours make athletes like Isaac feel unsafe and unwelcome.
“… The video recorded by Isaac is heart wrenching. Professional athletes should not feel they need to make the choice between taking their own lives, dropping out of sport, or coming out to their teammates.”
Humphries’ braveness was celebrated not simply by the Australian sporting group however worldwide, with distinguished NBA journalists Adrian Wojnarowski and Malika Andrews amongst these to share his story.
