Interview with Gay Former NBA Player John Amaechi

I remember those dreadful locker room moments years ago when I knew I was different from all of the other boys. I was terrified that someone would find out my little secret. Fast forward to adulthood where I now stand among the fortunate that don't have to (or feel compelled) to hide their sexuality (the sheer nature of what I do outs me to anyone that inquires about my career).

Former NBA center John Amaechi played for years in the closet. Coming out for Amaechi had to be a calculated move. According to the 6 foot 10 former center, coming out in the middle of a season wouldn't have been just about him; it could've potentially unraveled the cohesiveness of his team. Yet, Amaechi urges that the homophobia and expectations of masculinity in the NBA locker room are no worse than any corporate boardroom where closeted gay men often choose between their openness and their career.

"I don't think it's a pro sports issue; I think it's a workplace issue. There are many jobs where the vast majority of gay people within those jobs don't come out. It's pointless to me to look at pro sports and say, 'That's where most gay men don't come out,' when you can go through most offices and realize that the percentage of out gay people is very small and the percentage of closeted gay people is very large. It's not just because of the masculinity aspect that makes [coming out] more difficult with sports; it's the exposure."

In this exclusive interview, John Amaechi talks about his calculated coming out process, his new book and misconceptions about homophobia in pro sports.

Interview: John Amaechi talks to Gay Life.
Profile: Who is John Amaechi?
Background: NBA Star John Amaechi Comes Out

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_{Image: Photographer David Myrick.}