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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMagic Johnson Opens Up About Gay Son EJ: "I Love Him So Much"
Sports legend and AIDS activist Magic Johnson took a backseat earlier this week to his 20-year-old son, EJ, who came out of the closet as gay after he was photographed (in a memorable outfit!) holding hands with a reported boyfriend in West Hollywood. The former L.A. Laker, 53, opened up about his son's coming out in an emotional, lengthy interview with TMZ.
Although EJ's sexuality wasn't publicly known until Tuesday's headlines, it was a simple matter of fact in the family for years, with Magic and wife Cookie having "the talk" with EJ when he was about 12 years old. "We've known for a long time that my son EJ was gay," Johnson explained. "We finally had to sit down and talk about it. I told him, 'Look, I'm gonna love you regardless, just let me know. Are you, or aren't you?' And finally he said, 'Yes, I am.'"
Johnson explained the chat was "hard" simply because "he was so young . . . I told him, 'We are here to support you. We are gonna love no matter who you are, what you do. We just want you to love yourself and also make sure that you have all the information,'" explained Johnson, who has long worked with the LGBT community and advocated safe sex practices since announcing his own HIV-positive status in 1992. "I wanted to provide him with advice and guidance."
EJ himself was nervous about his father's reaction, Johnson recalled. "He really wanted to make sure I was okay. He wasn't worried about his mom, he was worried about me." Those fears were unfounded. "I love EJ so much. That's my main man. I told him, 'Nothing has changed.'"
http://omg.yahoo.com/news/magic-johnson-opens-gay-son-ej-love-him-123000596-us-weekly.html
EOTE
(13,409 posts)It always makes me glad to hear of a parent who helps their child to come out in an emotionally supportive manner. Johnson has always seemed like a truly good man to me, I'm really glad to hear this story. I also think he provides a very positive message to women and men infected with HIV that HIV is extremely far from a death sentence, especially in today's day and age.
abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)Love Magic. Good to see him support his son. Hope more parents will be inspired to do the same.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)when he was 12.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)whether he should tell his parents.
Politicub
(12,163 posts)What a wonderful dad!