Inspired by Jason Collins, 25-year-old Virginia native, Kevin Grayson, spoke to a local CBS news affiliate WTVR yesterday to announce to the world that he’s gay. What makes this a big deal is Grayson is not only an average masculine Black man, he’s also a professional athlete and local legend in community. As a football wide receiver, Kevin won championships in High School, College and in the Pros.
“People didn’t believe it because I was an athlete,” Grayson said in the interview. “They’re like ‘Kevin plays football, he plays basketball, he runs track – no way, you know?”Recognizing that he’s going against the stereotypes, 205 lbs 6’ 3” tall Grayson went on to say, “Those are the types of things where if I could go back and say; ‘Why can’t I be an athlete? Why can’t I be a star player? Why can’t I be the guy making plays that help my team win, and still on the flip side, be a gay male?’”
“If you are an athlete, you want to be an athlete; you want to be known for what you’ve done on the basketball court, football field, tennis court, whatever. You don’t want to be that person who is always ‘the “gay” athlete.’”
Not surprising, when he told some fellow teammates about himself over the years, he would discover that many of them were gay as well. Although he did have to tolerate some indirect homophobic comments made by teammates and coaches, he never took offense to it because they were never directed towards him personally.
“[Once I told a few teammates] it’s like the biggest weight lifted off your shoulder. To know that you have a teammate that basically says ‘I don’t care.’”
– Nick D
Nick Delmacy
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Absolutely amazing! and so very inspiring!
This is the type of guy all of America should see in the media. Nothing about him portrays the flamboyant stereotypical QUEEN. He’s masculine, confident, talented, and seemingly happy with the Life meter on blast. All I can say is WOW! He truly seems like a humble and beautiful person inside and out. Whoever has his eye is a lucky mofo..
Great find Nick!
Well. COSHAMO’S Prediction is correct!. My VIBE is just so dang strong. I don’t mean to sound so “COSHAMO” but I had to let it OUT. I predicted this was coming. AND THERE’S STILL MORE TO COME. The CLOSET DOORS are going to be BUSTING OPEN … This is going to be GREAT! I can’t wait. This is going to create a real STIR.
Thank you NIck. Keep doing you. Validates all of my ESP/Intuitiveness.
“THE MEN HAVE BECOME LOVERS OF THEMSELVES!”
I am so proud of this young brother choosing to be “authentic”! It’s amazing to see him do all the amazing things he has done and be himself.
I hope that other young guys are inspired to “be authentic” to the world as well.
Sidenote: I wish I saw this video when I was a young teenager… part of the reason I did not continue sports is because the LGBT movement is not what it is now. As a young black man in my mid-20’s, this would have done wonders for me 10-11 years ago.
I hope and pray that kids will DO THEM and not be afraid as the years go on! No one should ever feel like they could not do something they loved because of their sexuality. I’m praying it continues to get better. Especially for young gay men of color.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing this story DC!
Wow. History….it’s only a matter of time before “coming out” will be a thing of the past.
James, I agree!!
Great post Nick!
God bless you, your family and the environment that nurtured you Kevin Grayson! Your achievements, demeanor, eloquence and candor warm my heart and fill it with pride, knowing that we are both part of the fraternity of discreet masculine gay men of color.
After perusing the web, I just discovered that this beautiful young man is a Snow Hoe.. His boyfriend is white.
Obviously, it’s his choice, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt me just a little.
LOL whats wrong with interracial dating?
I understand Black Pegasus’ point, to an extent. It would be nice if the some of these masculine, desirable, non-stereotypical black gay men would be seen with other black male partners, or even over men of color, of the same stature. The image now is that 2 black men who are masculine and attractive cannot be together, But ultimately, love is love, no matter where you find it.
So glad there are more images of masculine guys out here without the DL bullshit.
We all know a gay football player lol but it’s nice to see one that isn’t in denial.
Good for him. And he’s fine as fuck! However, what’s the deal with this masculine vs feminine schism in the microcosm of black homosexuality+bisexuality. From an analytical standpoint, it seems as though we’re fighting tooth and nail to erect an image of our own cosmos that’s palpable enough for the heteronormative/patriarchal world to suitably digest. As our brow broadens and our scope expands, there is plenty of room for all of us at the table. Let’s eat, share, and grow together.
If he didn’t “look” as he did would we really care?!
We can point fingers at the heteros and the church folk but the internal issues within our own ranks is sad.
So I just found out he is in a LTR with a white man. Does anyone else find it interesting that those black athletes who come out these days as homosexual/gay end up with a white man?