Women’s Basketball Star Brittney Griner Comes Out Of The Closet

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

TOM KLUDT 1:49 PM EDT, THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2013

Brittney Griner, the top pick in this year's WNBA draft who just capped off a legendary career at Baylor University, acknowledged in an interview with Sports Illustrated published this week that she is gay.

In the interview, Griner was asked why coming out is more tolerated among female athletes than it is for male athletes.

"I really couldn't give an answer on why that's so different. Being one that's out, it's just being who you are," the 6-foot-8 Griner said. "Again, like I said, just be who you are. Don't worry about what other people are going to say, because they're always going to say something, but, if you're just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don't hide who you really are."

Griner was a three-time All-American at Baylor. On Monday, she was drafted first overall by the Phoenix Mercury.

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Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/womens-basketball-star-brittney-griner-comes-out-of

[Ilsa]

1. I hadn't considered that she might be gay.

Honestly, I thought she might have been born with a genetic or physical issue, such as ambiguous genitalia, and the female sex was selected for her, whether she is XX or XY or perhaps has a more complicated set of sex chromosomes. I thought this because her physical attributes, and comments about her body movements when running, etc, look more male, and her voice is relatively deeper than most women's voices her age. But this was just speculation on my part.
The NCAA is very inclusive of transgendered people so college Bb wasn't an issue, thankfully.

The problem I had with Griner is that she practically cold-cocked another player three years ago. I didn't think the NCAA or Baylor held her accountable for her violence.

[Cane4Dems]

3. yeah she was quite agressive while playing

but she was always double teamed or triple teamed with girls swinging their elbows out at her so i can see why she'd get upset sometimes

[yesphan]

4. Yes, she was certainly

capable of playing dirty. Especially if an opposing player got the best of her.
As far as her coming out goes, I am not surprised in the least and wish her all the best
in everything she endeavors.
I am glad to see her leave the Big 12 scene though. The table is a bit more level now.

[redstatebluegirl]

10. She took on the personality of her coach.

I wish her well now that she has come out, and would never give her grief for that but I am happy she is moving on. It won't stop Kim Mulkey from coaching her other players to play that way so it goes on.

[yesphan]

12. I concur.

[alp227]

2. Check out the "You Can Play Project" - an organization with outreach to LGBT athletes

youcanplayproject.org

[OKNancy]

5. common knowledge

in the lesbian community.. well, in my daughter's basketball-loving circle.

[austinlw]

6. The interesting part

to me is that she is a student at Baylor University, a Baptist university in Waco (that many of my relatives have attended, including my parents), a conservative area. I'm wondering how this news goes over there.

[nomorenomore08]

7. That was my first thought as well.

I imagine she would've had a considerably more difficult time at a school like Baylor, had she not been a near-superhuman athlete.

[bamacrat]

8. In female athletics it really isnt a big deal, even in Texas.

Not all female college athletes are gay, but so many are that if you want to compete you're ok with it.

[VA_Jill]

9. I don't think she could come OUT

because it sounds like she never was IN the closet. I can only imagine what it feels like to be her, what with all the abuse, the comments about her gender, and the crude jokes she gets. That she she has so much self-esteem and security about herself says a lot about her upbringing. Her parents must be amazing.

I think women are more generally tolerant of others' sexuality than many men are. Not just in sports, but in other fields also. I don't know why that is, but it is.

[Eleanors38]

11. At 6' 8", how could she fit into a closet?