A basketball icon has warned gay sports stars against coming out of the closet.
Former Stockport Grammar pupil John Amaechi, one of a few Britons to play in America’s NBA, won global admiration when he ‘outed’ himself three years ago to become one of very few openly gay athletes.
But he believes that fellow high-profile stars should hang fire on declaring their sexuality – unless they are confident they can cope with what follows.
Speaking to the M.E.N after becoming a patron of next year’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender history month, Amaechi, 39, likened coming out of the closet too soon to ‘being born prematurely’.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Amaechi, who runs a sports and community centre in Whalley Range into which he ploughed £250,000, added: “Unequivocally, being out is better than staying in, but those who do come out need support.”
Now a psychologist, the 6ft 10in former Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic player is hoping his role with the LGBT will raise awareness.
He said: “People should know that gay comes in all shapes and sizes. We tend to whitewash Britain’s history, and it’s important to recognise contributions from minorities, whether they are gay or not.
“I suppose role models, which is what I am trying to be, don’t come in odder packages than me.”
The history month, to celebrate the lives and achievements of the LGBT community, will take place next February, and Amaechi is appealing for help.
He said: “We are looking at hosting some kind of event or forum here in Manchester, but no decisions have been made yet. I’m all for getting the public involved and would love to hear any suggestions they have.”
Sue Sanders, who is organising the month, said: “John Amaechi is a living legend.
“His sporting achievements alone are awe inspiring, but his work since retiring from basketball puts him in a league of his own.
“Self-esteem is a huge issue in the LGBT community and John’s expertise as a psychologist will give us a unique insight into LGBT issues in sport.”
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Well said and well done John. And before the whingers come on, posting about - ooohhh, its not fair, we dont get a history month, etc etc etc - if you dont like it, go and turn gay. If you want a history month or a parade - become gay or shut up. Most of you believe being gay or lesbian is a choice after all - so get your dancing shoes on and get down to Canal Street or go back to bed and moan to yourself about the injustice of life when you are a heterosexual, white British male.
"Well said and well done John. And before the whingers come on, posting about - ooohhh, its not fair, we dont get a history month, etc etc etc - if you dont like it, go and turn gay"
I can tell you know, the gays arn't gonna like the last bit of this post. "o like we can just turn the gay on and off like we have a choice etc etc.
" you want a history month or a parade - become gay or shut up. Most of you believe being gay or lesbian is a choice after all"
It very much sounds like you think they have a choice.
"go back to bed and moan to yourself about the injustice of life when you are a heterosexual, white British male"
Salfordrat, what is your race and sex, just wanted to know from an interest point of view.
Mainstream society wants it all to itself and wants anyone who doesn't fit with their narrow world to crawl away and die.
Just go to any pub for proof.
[quote name=salfordrat]Well said and well done John. And before the whingers come on, posting about - ooohhh, its not fair, we dont get a history month, etc etc etc - if you dont like it, go and turn gay. If you want a history month or a parade - become gay or shut up. Most of you believe being gay or lesbian is a choice after all - so get your dancing shoes on and get down to Canal Street or go back to bed and moan to yourself about the injustice of life when you are a heterosexual, white British male.[/quote]
Oh beacon of light in a murky world forgive us our sins. Most noble salfordrat, leave us not to dwell in our filthy predjudice but deliver us from them with your caring spirit.
You are my hero, thankyou for pointing out just how we have all fallen from your grace.
Amen
Ignoramus, Manchester
Salfordrat has done it again, brought in the concept of "racism" where it doesn't exist. Read the article again Salfordrat and even you will not fail to notice that it concerns homophobia and not "racism"
[quote name=Ignoramus, Manchester]Oh beacon of light in a murky world forgive us our sins. Most noble salfordrat, leave us not to dwell in our filthy predjudice but deliver us from them with your caring spirit.
You are my hero, thankyou for pointing out just how we have all fallen from your grace.
Amen[/quote]
[quote name=The Vermin Slayer, Everywhere]
Salfordrat has done it again, brought in the concept of "racism" where it doesn't exist. Read the article again Salfordrat and even you will not fail to notice that it concerns homophobia and not "racism" [/quote]
You're getting a bit repetitive folks. You posted virtually the same comments in the article about First Bus. Get a new scriptwriter.
Good work John, there's a great many prejudiced people out there still, as can be seen from the recent £40k fine levied on Castleford Tigers for their homophobic taunting of Gareth Thomas. Something seen also in football with taunts against Sol Campbell in recent seasons.
Do we also forget Justin Fashanu, driven to suicide after being the first million pound black player, the homophobia was too much to bear, whether from inside football or just in society in general.
So, again well done. Best of luck.
"Good work John, there's a great many prejudiced people out there still, as can be seen from the recent £40k fine levied on Castleford Tigers for their homophobic taunting of Gareth Thomas"
But if they were taunting him because he had a deformed head, because he has legs, because he is bald all over(no fault of his own), was straight or just a really bad player, was stupid, or had an ugly girlfriend, then would they still have been fined £40,000?
It looks as if there maybe a bit of handbags at dawn between Ignoramus and salfordrat........
[quote name=Acid, Chadderton]You're getting a bit repetitive folks. You posted virtually the same comments in the article about First Bus. Get a new scriptwriter.[/quote]
Can I borrow yours, or are the r,a,c,i,s and t keys still worn down?
[quote name=Brooklands - Liberal do-gooder]Good work John, there's a great many prejudiced people out there still, as can be seen from the recent £40k fine levied on Castleford Tigers for their homophobic taunting of Gareth Thomas. Something seen also in football with taunts against Sol Campbell in recent seasons.
[/quote]
Conversely we can deduce that there are far more non predjudiced people out there, evidenced by all the clubs that havn't been fined anyhtign for homphobic taunting
Ignoramus, lovinthebanter:
What exactly are you getting at?
[quote name=Ignoramus, Manchester]Can I borrow yours, or are the r,a,c,i,s and t keys still worn down?[/quote]
I didn't mention racism. Are you paranoid?
[quote name=Acid, Chadderton]I didn't mention racism. Are you paranoid?[/quote]
Just a little confused, I thought i was replying to salfordrat and his "White british male" comment
[quote name=Brooklands - Liberal do-gooder]Ignoramus, lovinthebanter:
What exactly are you getting at?[/quote]
The same as you, some people are racist and soem are not.
[quote name=Ignoramus, Manchester]Can I borrow yours, or are the r,a,c,i,s and t keys still worn down?[/quote]
Dooh!! He said 'scriptwriter', NOT 'typewriter'!! ROFL
If you want to take a walk on the wild side with the prejudiced and you can handle it then it's ok. But if you might be a little weak regarding negative people then if it's not broken don't try and fix it and make a mess of it. There are millions of people who are happy for everyone and there are millions that will try and make something out of nothing.
I have had the priviledge of spending time with John and he is a GREAT guy. My son attended one of his basketball camps a few years ago and he loved it.
People need to look past all the hype about color, race and gender to who the person really is inside. I'm a stereotypical white hetrosexual woman - some of my best friends are black, some asian... some are guys... and, yes, I have gay friends too. There's an old old saying.. "Don't judge a book by its cover". Unfortunately prejudice is alive and kicking.
[quote name=Abra Cadaver]Dooh!! He said 'scriptwriter', NOT 'typewriter'!! ROFL[/quote]
HAHA, Apart from the timing and delivery it was still pretty good though.
"Ignoramus, lovinthebanter:
What exactly are you getting at?"
he was taunted not discriminated against it could of been anything, in this case it happened to be cause he is gay, so I don't think they should of been fined. I am comforatable with being straight, if taunted due to this it won't bother me because I am confortable and happy to be straight so someone tauting me for something I am happy to be, I wouldn't take it to heart. Although this does assume he is happy with being gay which I can't say if he is or not. Just seems some people are a bit more sensetive to words than others, which is a shame as their only words.
[quote name=Gaynor Baker]I have had the priviledge of spending time with John and he is a GREAT guy. My son attended one of his basketball camps a few years ago and he loved it.
People need to look past all the hype about color, race and gender to who the person really is inside. I'm a stereotypical white hetrosexual woman - some of my best friends are black, some asian... some are guys... and, yes, I have gay friends too. There's an old old saying.. "Don't judge a book by its cover". Unfortunately prejudice is alive and kicking.[/quote]
If thats true then describing yourself as "a stereotypical white hetrosexual woman" is completly ridiculous.
However as you have gay and black friends im nominating you for the nobel peace prize.
[quote name=Ignoramus, Manchester]The same as you, some people are racist and soem are not.[/quote]
Um, I don't think I mentioned race at all.
It's funny how you can post a positive comment on this place, praising someone for doing good and some people still moan.
Ignoramus - I can see how you get your name!! There's a world outside all the racial tension and crime in Manchester... shame you can't see it. I'm from Greater Manchester and live in the USA - traveling between the two the differences are like chalk and cheese. You are definately egocentric that's for sure. Here... you can put the fans of two opposing sports teams together - in the same stands - ADD ALCOHOL but SUBTRACT FIGHTING. Yes - we have crime but the British people only see what is portrayed on TV. One of my best friends is black and she would go out of her way to do anything for me and my family - as does a lot of folks over here. Take the blinkers off - and quit being so negative about everything... it will shorten your life...
It seems a shame that, in this supposedly enlightened time people still feel the need to pretend to be something they are not, or keep aspects of thier personality hidden for fear of reprisal.
I wouldn't have known if he didn't say. Aint no business like showbusiness