Jazz’ Amaechi Warns Athletes of Coming Out Too Soon
Gay former Utah Jazz player John Amaechi has said that gay sportsmen and women should not feel rushed to come out if they do not feel ready.
Amaechi, who came out in 2007 — four years after retiring from the sport, said that coming out too soon was like “being born prematurely” and urged those not yet comfortable to hold off.
“I get into trouble sometimes with the gay community by saying it is not the job of sports stars in the closet to come out,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “That is not how change happens. For an under-prepared and psychologically stunted individual who plays sports at a high level to come out before they are ready is like being born prematurely.”
“Unequivocally, being out is better than staying in,” he said. “But those who do come out need support.”