Out Gay Australian Basketballer Isaac Humphries Reveals He Struggled With Mental Health
Image: Isaac Humphries. Image: NBL
Isaac Humphries has spoken out about his experiences following his emotional coming out to the basketball league in November last year.
Trigger Warning: This story discusses suicide ideation, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or .
The Australian Boomers player has revealed that despite his struggle to come to terms with his sexuality, coming out publicly was the right thing to do, with the hope that by doing, so he鈥檇 encourage others to do the same.听
Australia’s Only Gay Basketballer
Humphries spoke to Today on Friday, describing the feeling of being the 鈥渙nly openly gay player to play for their nation (in basketball) ever鈥� as a 鈥減retty special honour鈥�.
Last November, Humphries addressed his teammates, sharing his inner turmoil and fear of not being accepted or the possible experiences of homophobia that he would have to face if he came out.听
He was candid about his mental health struggles and the inability to be comfortable in his own skin because the fear of other people knowing had become overwhelming.听
鈥淚 couldn鈥榯 be who I am, and I attempted to take my life. The main reason behind me becoming so low and being at that point is because I was very much struggling with my sexuality and coming to terms with the fact that I鈥檓 gay,” Humphries said.听
I Don’t Wanna Hide Anymore
The athlete described feelings of hatred and shame about himself, stating that he believed he 鈥渃ould not be that person within our environment, within a basketball environment鈥�, and that it was not until he found himself in a community that was welcoming, 鈥渇ull of pride and happiness and joy鈥�, that it was a wake-up call for him.听
鈥淏ut then came the big question mark of how do I be a basketball player, and how do I join a new team when I鈥榲e finally come to terms with this about myself and I don鈥檛 wanna hide who I am anymore.”
The basketball player spoke to Body and Soul, telling them there was a time in his life when 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I would get past 26, 25鈥�.
However, since coming out Humphries enjoyed his first World Pride and Sydney Mardi Gras and described life as 鈥渇antastic鈥�.听
Queer Athletes
The basketball centre expressed urgency and desire to have representation and voices in places like men鈥檚 sports, especially queer athletes because he believed this would reduce the fear of coming out if other young questioning children could see their role models happily out.听
鈥淛ust because homophobia is not in your immediate line of thinking doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 not affecting a lot of people鈥omeone who is battling every day with thoughts about suicide, and sees my video and has a tiny bit of hope 鈥� that鈥檚 who cares. It鈥檚 me, who had no example to look up to as a gay man in basketball 鈥� I care,” Humphries told the Sydney Morning Herald.听
His decision to come out to his teammates and the public transpired from a desire to stop hiding his sexuality.听
鈥淚 decided that if I鈥檓 gonna join a team, that I鈥檓 gonna come out publicly, and just make sure people know that you can live. And you don鈥檛 have to hide, just because you鈥檙e an athlete,” he said.听
