Derrick Gordon gave his first live broadcast on-camera interview to MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell today. Gordon, a UMASS sophomore came out as the first openly gay male player in NCAA Division 1 athletics, in an extensive interview with Outsports and with ESPN.
Gordon talks with Mitchell about his coming out, why he did it now, what his family said, and how Jason Collins was a big influence on his decision. “He definitely inspirited me a lot,” Gordon, who talked to Collins before coming out, says.
Acknowledging that “it’s a scary situation to have to tell your friends and family that you’re gay,” Gordon says that he wants to”inspire” and “step up and be a leader” for those who aren’t able to come out yet, or who are struggling to.
Watch:
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http://player.theplatform.com/p/2E2eJC/EmbeddedOffSite?guid=n_mitchell_2gor_140409
Editor’s note: Mitchell is a strong supporter for LGBT rights. She was the opening night speaker at an LGBT journalists’ convention I attended in February, and drove from NYC to DC to attend.