College basketball star super star and the Phoenix Mercury's number one draft pick Brittney Griner says she wants young girls to know it's OK to be gay -- just like her.
Britney Griner was speaking in an video interview with Sports Illustrated alongside fellow college players Skylar Diggins (third pick, heading to the Tulsa Shock), and Elena Delle Donne (the second pick, drafted by the Chicago Sky).
SI's Maggie Gray asked the players why there is such a difference between male professional sports, where there are no openly gay players, and women's leagues like the WNBA where the atmosphere is more accepting.
"I really couldn't give an answer on why that's so different. Being one that's out, it's just being who you are," Griner, who is graduating from Baylor this spring, replied. "Again, like I said, just be who you are. Don't worry about what other people are going to say, because they're always going to say something, but, if you're just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don't hide who you really are."
Griner added that her decision to come out "wasn't too difficult." She added, "I wouldn't say I was hiding or anything like that. I've always been open about who I am and my sexuality."
Diggins and Gray added that they both support openly gay players.
"In our sport, we're fine with it," Delle Donne said. "We're all friends, and I want everybody to be who they are. You shouldn't have to lie, that's not fair. Hopefully the men can one day adopt that same attitude that we have."
Watch the video below:
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