As thousands of African-American's who identify themselves as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender--struggle not only to find self acceptance, but acceptance from their loved ones, these public figures found the courage to proclaim their sexuality in 2013.
Having came out around the age of 17 to my friend and family, that moment of self-assurance remains one of the most freeing experiences of my life. Since then I have been able to live my life openly, and look those in the face who oppose same-sex relations without fear of judgment.
Here are eight of the most powerful African-American coming outs of 2013:
KELVIN ATKINSON
One of this year's courageous lawmakers, Nevada Senator Kelvin Atkinson (D-North Las Vegas) came out of the closet during a floor speech debating a bill that would repeal a constitutional provision passed by voters in 2002 banning same-sex marriage.
Said Atkinson: "I'm black. I'm gay...I know this is the first time many of you have heard me say that I am a black, gay male...If this hurts your marriage, then your marriage was in trouble in the first place."
MISTER CEE
Mister Cee, the hip hop producer and DJ from NYC's Hot 97 was wrapped up in a scandal in September involving the solicitation of a trans sex worker which led to his resignation (and eventual rescinding of that resignation) from the station. The controversy prompted him to address his fluid sexuality in a four-minute PSA about sexual health and STD testing for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
"The decision I've made this week to open up about my sexuality has definitely been the most difficult thing that I've ever had to do in my life. But I felt like this was the time to do it personally and professionally. For me, I felt worried about how my family would be affected, how my coworkers, and my friends, and even my fans would be affected by this decision, because in this hip hop community of ours, it's not cool to be gay. It's not cool to be bisexual. I felt that if I was to actually be honest about myself, that nobody would actually just want to deal with me anymore. But the more that I kept lying, and the more that I kept trying to deceive you and myself, the more that I was being more closed in, and not really being who I really am.
"I also realized that the more that I kept this secret, and kept lying, and kept trying to be deceitful to the people that I loved, I wasn't really helping myself, or anybody else that could need help out there. But with the grace of family and good friends around me, they made me feel comfortable to exercise my human right for sexual freedom, instead of finding myself being self-detained by discrimination, judgment, criticism, and even violence from my own community. Thank God that I have friends and family that's gonna hold me down and make sure that I'm alright. I got tired of lying and hiding. But I'm here to tell you today that you don't have to lie and hide no more about your sexual freedom."
JASON COLLINS
On April 29, boundaries in the sports world were shattered with the groundbreaking news that free agent Jason Collins is gay, making him not only the first openly gay player in the NBA, but in a major professional sport.
Sportsillustrated_collinsSaid Collins in a Sports Illustrated cover story:
I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.
I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand...
...Why am I coming out now? Well, I started thinking about this in 2011 during the NBA player lockout. I'm a creature of routine. When the regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the next campaign in the fall. But the lockout wreaked havoc on my habits and forced me to confront who I really am and what I really want. With the season delayed, I trained and worked out. But I lacked the distraction that basketball had always provided.
The revelation sparked a major conversation about out players in professional sports, prompting many pro players and officials to speak out in support of gay players and LGBT equality.
Collins even received a phone call from President Obama thanking him for his courage.
Collins's coming out has of late been shadowed by the fact that seven months later, he has still not been signed to a team, fueling speculation that his sexuality is at the root of his ongoing free agent status.
KEVIN GRAYSON
2013 was a huge year for out and proud athlete, both professionally and at the college level. Kevin Grayson, "one of the most decorated football players Central Virginia has ever seen" according to WTVR, came out of the closet shortly after, and perhaps inspired by, Jason Collins.
Said Grayson of his being gay:
"People didn’t believe it because I was an athlete. They’re like ‘Kevin plays football, he plays basketball he runs track–no way you know?’ Those are the types of things where if I could go back and say; ‘Why can’t I be an athlete? Why can’t I be a star player? Why can’t I be the guy making plays that helps my team win, and still on the flip side, be a gay male?’”
BRITTNEY GRINER
A three-time All-American center at Baylor who was the top pick in this year's WNBA draft, Brittney Griner spoke about her sexuality for the first time in an interview with SI.com in April.
Said Griner of her coming out:
"It really wasn't too difficult, I wouldn't say I was hiding or anything like that. I've always been open about who I am and my sexuality. So, it wasn't hard at all. If I can show that I'm out and I'm fine and everything's OK, then hopefully the younger generation will definitely feel the same way."
Shortly after coming out, Griner broke the WNBA dunks record in her first game.
EARVIN JOHNSON III
Magic Johnson's son Earvin, one of three children of the NBA legend, came out of the closet via a TMZ item in April when he and his boyfriend were filmed walking hand-in-hand on L.A.'s Sunset strip.
Shortly after the item appeared, Magic gave a lengthy interview to TMZ about his son.
"I think this is gonna be good for a lot of young black people who want to come out. EJ is really gonna help a lot of young people," he said, adding that as an owner of the Dodgers he would take care of any player who decided to come out on the team.
RAVEN SYMONE
Cosby Show actress Raven Symone ended years of speculation in August when she tweeted "I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you"
Symone had never said publicly if she was gay but addressed the rumors previously in response to a National Enquirer article that reported she was living with an America's Next Top Model contestant in New York City.
DARREN YOUNG
WWE superstar Darren Young flew out of the closet at the prompting of a TMZ paparazzo in August upon arriving at LAX, Young was asked by TMZ whether a gay man could succeed in the WWE to which Young responded, "Absolutely. Look at me. I’m a WWE superstar and, to be honest with you, I’m gay." The confession caught the camera-man off guard and Young made instant headlines, fueling the ongoing dialogue about gays in professional sports.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. offered its support of Young following his statement: "[The] WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar."
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