LEXINGTON, Ky. — Former UK basketball player Isaac Humphries came out as gay in an emotional video he shared on Twitter. Humphries came out to his teammates on Melbourne United, the Australian basketball team he currently plays for.
Humphries came out to his teammates on Melbourne United, the Australian basketball team he currently plays for. He is the first Australian male player, and the first in his league to do so, as well as being the only active, openly gay male pro basketball player in the world.
“It’s so important. We have so few openly LGBTQ professional athletes, all across the board really. And for someone of such prominence, and such prominence here in Kentucky, as a former UK basketball player, you know, this is incredibly significant for, particularly, LGBTQ youth, who so seldom see themselves represented on the court, on the field,” said Chris Hartman, Executive Director of the Fairness Campaign, Kentucky’s statewide LGBTQ rights organization.
“And so this is absolutely going to maybe even send a lifeline to LGBTQ youth, and LQBTQ athletes, who may not be out yet, that they can live their authentic lives, be who they are, and still be successful, still score as many points as they did before. “
Humphries played for the Kentucky Wildcats from 2015 to 2017. He’s also a musician, as Spectrum News 1 reported on in 2019.
In the video he shared, Humphries told his teammates he had struggled with his sexuality, and even contemplated suicide, before deciding he’d be happier to be open with the team.
“I’d argue that Isaac’s playing might get better now that he’s able to bring his authentic self to work every day. We know that when folks can be who they are in the workplace, or on the field, on the court, that they end up performing better. Because they have less worry about hiding this intricate aspect of their identity,” Hartman said.
He added, “I think we’re going to continue to see more and more LGBTQ athletes come out of the closet. There are so many of them. Look, we’ve got thousands of professional athletes in the United States of America alone. And to think that there aren’t a substantial number of them who are LGBTQ is not really thinking about statistics and population correctly.”
Hartman said casual homophobia often thrown around in locker room culture makes it difficult for athletes struggling with their sexuality to come out. He said that makes Humphries’ announcement even more impactful.
“It is an act of incredible bravery. And I’m so proud that Isaac, as a former UK basketball player, has decided to take those brave steps forward, to send that message to every LGBTQ kid in Kentucky who watched him play for Big Blue Nation. This is going to send that desperately necessary message that you can be anybody, you can do anything. And you can still be LGBTQ, and be successful,” Hartman said.
It’s a big statement from the former Wildcat big man, who will undoubtedly continue to inspire people from Kentucky to Australia, and around the world.
UK’s Office for Student Success, which houses its Office of LGBTQ Resources, sent Spectrum News 1 the following statement regarding Humphries:
“The University of Kentucky is committed to preparing students to lead lives of meaning and purpose, including being their most authentic selves. We are proud any time one of our students or alums finds new ways to be themselves and thrive. Additionally, UK offers resources to support our community members with a wide range of backgrounds and identities, including the Office of LGBTQ Resources housed in the Office for Student Success.”
Spectrum News 1 attempted to contact Humphries’ manager to interview Humphries for this story. The manager did not immediately respond to the request.