T.J. House, the former Major League Baseball pitcher, has come out as gay. He also announced his engagement to his boyfriend in a heartfelt post on social media.
“I have purposefully distanced myself from people for the sake of trying to protect myself. It’s disheartening how one simple thing can change an individual’s opinion of you in a matter of seconds. It has taken me years to wake up every morning and tell myself that you are loved for you, the one that’s deep down inside that you’ve never truly let out.”
House stated that he had always been admired for being a professional athlete… but that the adulation he was receiving felt like a bandage covering a wound while he concealed his identity.
“Deep down I wanted something more, I wanted to be loved not for what I did, but who I was.”
“Shame has kept me quiet all these years,” he added. “But Love has finally set me free.”
House is the third out gay former MLB player, following Billy Bean and Glenn Burke.
Following the passage of the Respect For Marriage Act, House chose to stop living in secret, beginning with the announcement of his engagement to partner Ryan Neitzel.
“I have a wonderful fiancé, who challenges me daily to become a better person,” House said. “To live life authentically. One who I never deserved but blessed to have. Love you see, it’s for everyone.”