When Brittney Griner spoke on contrast in male & female athletes opening up on their sexuality: "I've always been really open about my sexuality”
Brittney Griner has long been considered an incredible star in women's basketball. From her time at Baylor, the 6-foot-9 powerhouse was breaking barriers and showing fans what she's capable of. Despite her reign of dominance in college, Baylor had problems with Griner's sexuality given the fact that it's a Baptist school.
As she revealed in 2013, she never shied away from the fact that she was attracted to girls. Baylor University, on the other hand, wasn't too pleased. The university ordered her to keep quiet about her sexuality given that, at the time, their policy was that same-sex acts are viewed as, quote, "misuses of God's gifts."
It wasn't until 2019 that the university removed the controversial line from its code of conduct. At the time, the change was labeled the "Griner Effect," given that the young star was the driving factor behind the change in terminology.
After the 2013 WNBA draft, in which Griner was selected at No. 1, she was asked about her sexuality. Given her status as one of the nation's best collegiate players, Griner's coming out was a pretty big deal. As she recalled in an ESPN interview, however, it wasn't a difficult decision.
"It really wasn't too difficult," Griner said. "I wouldn't say I was hiding or anything like that. I've always been open about who I am and my sexuality. So, it wasn't hard at all. If I can show that I'm out and I'm fine and everything's OK, then hopefully the younger generation will definitely feel the same way."
Griner said that she never thought a big "coming out announcement" was necessary. In fact, she casually broke the news in the first place, nonchalantly sharing an intimate part of her life.
Brittney Griner breaking barriers in the WNBA
Once Brittney Griner got to the WNBA, she continued to break barriers. In her first game with the Phoenix Mercury, she set a league record by dunking twice. Throughout her career, Griner has been an eight-time All-Star, a two-time scoring champion and an eight-time blocks leader.
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Between her legendary run in college that saw her rack up the first-ever triple-double in Baylor basketball history and her WNBA run, Griner has broken barriers. Now that she's back on U.S. soil following a lengthy stint in a Russian penal colony, Griner is eager to return to the game sheloves, and pay it forward.
She revealed on Instagram in her first post since returning home that she's committed to bringing other Americans incarcerated in Russia home.
"President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home, too," Griner wrote. "I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole."
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