John Amaechi, Gay Pro Athlete

From the Washington Post. In case you didn't know, or knew but had simply forgotten, John Amaechi, former NBA basketball player, wrote a book about being gay in the NBA. Haven't read the book yet, but he seems like an articulate, thoughtful, well-spoken fellow.

Which makes it hard to believe he was able to spend any time in the NBA at all.

From the article, an online chat.

Houston: John,

Based on your experiences, have your found homophobia to be more prevalent in the black community or the white community? Also is homophobia more prevalent in the U.S. or the U.K.?

Thanks.

John Amaechi: I don't think that Europe and the UK is a utopia, but governmental backing of homophobia doesn't exist in the same way it does in America. As for the white and black communities, I think they have a disconnect that is being manipulated by people for political gain. I think both regional and national elections are being won on the back of trumped up bigotry.

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Lugano, Switzerland: When did you realize that you are gay, at what age?

John Amaechi: Nine or 10.

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