Melbourne United’s Isaac Humphries hopes his choice to publicly announce he is homosexual will assist change how gay individuals are considered in sport.
Humphries acquired international help after changing into the primary overtly homosexual participant in NBL historical past when he made his announcement on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old is the second lively athlete in considered one of Australia’s prime sports activities leagues to return out as homosexual, becoming a member of Adelaide United A-League Men participant Josh Cavallo.
“I believe it is definitely time to make a change and set an example to the next generation that they can be anything they want while still being true to themselves,” Humphries mentioned.
“I want to demonstrate that you can be a professional athlete, you can be anything you want, and still be gay.”
Humphries made his announcement by way of a membership assertion and video of the beginning centre delivering the news to his Melbourne United teammates, which was launched on social media.
In the video, an emotional Humphries mentioned he had hidden his sexuality and revealed the acute toll it had taken on his psychological well being.
“Life’s about doing hard things and learning from them and making a difference through those hard times,” Humphries mentioned.
“A few years ago I fell into a very dark place, a very lonely place. I couldn’t be who I am and I attempted to take my life.
“The primary purpose behind me changing into so low and being in that time is as a result of I used to be very a lot fighting my sexuality and coming to phrases with the truth that I’m homosexual.
“I hated it about myself. I was disgusted at myself.
“I believed that I couldn’t be that individual inside the environment and inside a basketball atmosphere.
“It wasn’t until I was in a community that’s full of pride and happiness and joy and it was a big wake-up call for me.”
After reaching that time, former Adelaide 36ers participant Humphries determined he would come out publicly if he joined a brand new group.
He signed with Melbourne United in July.
“We as athletes, as professional athletes, we have a responsibility to set examples for people,” he instructed teammates within the video launch.
“And the truth is that there are so many people in other worlds that are struggling every single day and don’t know how to get up, don’t know how to exist.
“I understand how that feels and I wish to characterize these folks.
“That’s my goal behind this, (to) make sure people know that you can be whatever you want, no matter who you are or what you do.
“I simply wish to be myself. I’ve found that that is my goal in life and I’m simply going to offer it my greatest go.”
Humphries is the second male to come out as gay while playing in one of the world’s top-tier basketball leagues.
NBA veteran Jason Collins was the first, in 2013.
Humphries, who played five NBA games for the Atlanta Hawks in 2018-19, feels safe in his environment at Melbourne United but described basketball as “homophobic” in an interview with CNN.
“The atmosphere could be very masculine … it is not as progressive as the remainder of the world. It’s a bit of bit again in time in these locker rooms,” Humphries instructed CNN.
“It is talked about fairly negatively, the thought of being homosexual. It’s not an atmosphere that makes you’re feeling tremendous comfy to be this.
“That’s part of this whole change. The idea of normalising this sort of situation is amazing.
“It’s one thing that should occur. It’s definitely time. It’s definitely lengthy overdue.”
Melbourne United and the NBL on Wednesday expressed their pride in Humphries and publicly declared their support for the player.
The NBA also praised Humphries as the news spread around the world.
“We are proud and grateful to Isaac for sharing his story,” the league mentioned in a press release.
“We know the true influence his honesty and braveness may have on many others. Isaac has our unwavering respect and help.”
Humphries’ announcement came ahead of United’s meeting with Adelaide at John Cain Arena on Thursday night.
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