Amaechi Becomes Coming Out Spokesperson

WASHINGTON, DC -- Former NBA player John Amaechi, who came out publicly last week, has been named a national spokesperson for a project aimed at helping LGBT people come out and live openly gay.

"John is making history this week, becoming the first NBA player to ever come out and talk about his life and experiences as an athlete and a gay man," said Human Right Campaign (HRC) President Joe Solmonese.

"In sharing his story, our great hope is that John will pave the way for more GLBT and straight athletes to openly support fairness and respect on and off the playing field."

In his soon-to-be-released autobiography Man in the Middle, John Amaechi chronicles his life growing up in Manchester, England, overcoming odds to play in the NBA, and coping with the frustration and anguish of being a closeted professional athlete. "I am gay, black, British, smart, dumb, patronizing, stubborn, all these other things—flawed in many ways—and I am now asserting my activism," Amaechi says in an interview with the Advocate.

Though his sexuality has been a topic of speculation for years, the press always seemed to maintain a blind eye, even when he acknowledged being gay to reporters. "People have these boxes that they want to throw you in," Amaechi tells the magazine. "If you’re big and black, it’s not the first conclusion they jump to."

"I believe very strongly in the responsibility of people with power and influence to be role models," Amaechi said in a video on HRC's web site Sunday.

"Living more openly in the later years of my NBA career was one of the things that radically changed my life. It made me happier. I want to spread my influence in the same way that I was able to because I had a basketball in my hand. I hope now to have perhaps a different lectern to stand behind but with an equally important message."

As spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign’s Coming Out Project, Amaechi will promote the importance of being out and living openly and honestly while traveling around the country to promote his autobiography.

He also has set up a blog with HRC at www.hrc.org/amaechi that will allow people to share their coming out stories.

"John is going to give a new face and a thoughtful, heartfelt voice to openly gay athletes in this country,” said Human Rights Campaign Coming Out Project Director Mark Shields.

"Young athletes – GLBT and straight – will now have a new role model to help show them the importance of competing openly, honestly and respectfully."

The HRC Coming Out Project has featured other national spokespeople including George Takei of “Star Trek,” Candace Gingrich, Betty DeGeneres and Chastity Bono.