Ryan Jordan Santana came out as gay on live tv on this week's episode of TLC's This Is Life.
In a tense moment with two of Santana's teammates, he breaks the ice by saying his friend Elle is pregnant, then quickly retracts the remark with "I'm just kidding, I'm gay."
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His friends are shocked at first but quickly congratulate Santana.
“I lived a lie my whole life," he told OutSports. "I was always too afraid to even tell my teammates. But I don’t want to have to lie to them about this part of me anymore.”
Santana grew up in schools with strong ties to the church and had a hard time feeling comfortable enough to come out to his family and friends. He played college baseball at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California where he won the PacWest Conference Player of the Week honors. According to APU's website, the school holds a policy barring gay sex.
Sanatana currently plays for the Golden Grove Dodgers in Adelaide, Australia, where gay marriage is still illegal.
So why did he decide to come out on nation television? “I feel like I struggled with it, and I know there are others struggling with their sexuality as well,” Santana explained to TLC and the world. “And I feel like I don’t want them to feel alone or by themselves. And I want to let them know they are not alone. I want to be some kind of outlet, a light.”
“I want to live my life authentically,” Santana told OutSports. “Everyone should be able to. It is important now because I’m at a time in my life where I’m thinking about family and career. I feel like now is a good time and I hope to inspire others to tell their stories.”
Congratulations Ryan! Thank you for sharing your story!
