The only openly gay men’s basketball player in a top-tier competition has expressed his disappointment at the Cairns Taipans’ boycott of the NBL’s Pride Round jerseys.
Melbourne United centre Isaac Humphries, who came out as the game’s first openly active gay player in November, issued a statement to ESPN in response to the Taipans’ collective decision not to wear a rainbow logo on their jerseys this week.
The NBL’s inaugural Pride Round has been overshadowed by Cairns’ decision to “opt out” of the uniform initiative in Wednesday’s game against South East Melbourne Phoenix after the club claimed “our team has already been subjected to a barrage of abuse and harmful commentary that has led to individuals being targeted and shamed.”
Humphries responded to the jersey snub on Friday in a statement that he also shared on Instagram.
“My teammates are like family. Like family, I will always come from a place of love and acceptance,” Humphries said.
“So, when it comes to inclusion, I will always stand up and speak out when needed for my sport, for my community, and I’m disappointed for my LGBTQ+ family of athletes and coaches who live silently in the closet.
Melbourne United player Isaac Humphries.Credit:Getty Images
“If we are going to move forward with true equality, equity and inclusion in sport for LGBTQ+ athletes, we have to start by getting honest. We have to acknowledge there is a problem.
“The obligation is on all of us, no matter where in the sport power matrix we live. In the meantime, I will continue to encourage us all to come together, respect each other, lift each other up, and I will use my platform to give voice to the voiceless.
