Milwaukee Brewers Minor Leaguer Becomes First Active Player in MLB-Affiliated Ball to Come Out as Gay

A player in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system becomes the first active baseballer to come out as gay.

Image via Craig Wieczorkiewicz/Midwest League Traveler

After a teammate made a joke referring to him "using a derogatory term for a gay male," Milwaukee Brewers minor league first baseman/outfielder David Denson decided to make an announcement to his whole team that he was gay. Earlier this season, during Spring Training, Denson had informed the organization about his sexuality due to (as he puts it) "being on the verge of a mental breakdown."

After telling his team, Denson received widespread support and acceptance. Says the 20-year-old about the clubhouse revelation:

"Talking with my teammates, they gave me the confidence I needed, coming out to them. They said, 'You're still our teammate. You're still our brother. We kind of had an idea, but your sexuality has nothing to do with your ability. You're still a ballplayer at the end of the day. We don't treat you any different. We've got your back.'"

After that outpouring of support, Denson decided to make the announcement public knowledge. He reached out to the MLB's Ambassador for Inclusion Billy Bean (whom is one of two former Major League Baseball players to reveal he's gay, doing so in 1999 after his playing career was over) and shared his story with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'sTom Haudricourt. By taking this action, Denson becomes the first openly gay active baseball player for a pro team with MLB-affiliation. Denson currently plays for the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League.

Last year Sean Conroy, of the independent Pacific Association, made a similar announcement.

[via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

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