Faried said, “I have two moms and I love them both very much. I respect, honor and support them in every way.”
Athlete Ally, an organization dedicated to ending homophobia in sports, has gained their first NBA player. Denver Nuggets starting power forward Kenneth Faried has said that he hopes his involvement with the organization will serve to “raise awareness of gay rights in professional basketball.” Faried joins other athletes such as, Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens, Chris Kluwe of the Minnesota Vikings, Scott Fujita of the Cleveland Browns, and Connor Barwin of the Houston Texans in working toward tolerance and genuine change for LGBT athletes in professional sports. According to the Huffington Post, “Not a single man has ever come out as gay while playing for a major U.S. professional sports team.” But hopefully, with the support of sports superstars such as Faried that will change.
Equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community is close to the heart of Faried, nicknamed the “Manimal” for his fierceness on the court. The 23-year-old forward was raised in New Jersey by two mothers, who married in 2007. Faried recently appeared with his mothers in a video for the advocacy group OneColorado, to encourage Colorado to legalize civil unions.
“Becoming an Athlete Ally gives me the opportunity to spread a message of inclusiveness throughout the NBA and our country. I have two moms and I love them both very much. I respect, honor and support them in every way. The bond I have with them has made me realize that I want all members of the LGBT community — whether they are parents, players, coaches or fans — to feel welcome in the NBA and in all of our communities.”
The executive director of Athlete Ally, Hudson Taylor said, “In the last month, we have seen seven professional athletes around the world align with Athlete Ally. Kenneth is standing out not only as an incredible talent, but as an incredible ally. We are thrilled to have him on board and grateful to the NBA for its continued leadership.”
Do you think that celebrities and athletes speaking out on issues such as LGBT rights helps create change?
Do you think think athletes like Kenneth Faried taking a public stance on LGBT issues will make professional sports a safer place for gay players?
Kenneth, I truly understand why you support the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, transgender issues and policies because you have a real profound story with the experiences in your life with your biological mom. For people that are REAL, whether it’s the good or bad, pro or anti. Life experiences is part of what shapes and molds us into being who we are. I think you are a very strong brother and very SECURE within your own skin. I hope I am not being hypocritical when I say I hope you are straight because straight sistas REALLY need brothas SECURE wihin their… Read more »
Kathrn…the truth is that the NBA has discouraged black athletes from speaking out and being politically active to help other black people. There is a long, rich storied history of black athletes taking risks and speaking out against injustices and they have lost that edge, unless it is too help others, not black people.This is no accident. Ironically, white people then will criticize black people who help other black people as racist AND complain that blacks don’t do enough for themselves or to help themselves.In my opinion, for whatever that’s worth, today’s black athlete, who are following Michael Jordan’s model… Read more »
Bravo Kenneth…but when are black athletes gonna speak out on others issues like gun violence in black communities, or on the chronic unemployment, or the mass incarceration of black youth. When are black athletes gonna DO something besides make oodles of money, which they wouldn’t BE making if not for another black athlete who risked everything-CURT FLOOD of OAKLAND.-and lost everything SO THAT all athletes, men and women, gay or straight could be free in the world of sports. For that matter, when are those people gonna stand up for someone besides themselves? This conversation is so out of balance?!