Inamin ng refree ng National Basketball Association (NBA) referee na si Bill Kennedy na siya ay bakla.
Sa isang pahayag, inamin ni Kennedy ang kanyang seksuwalidad sa Yahoo Sports noong Linggo (Lunes sa Manila).
“I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man,” ang pahayag nito. “I am following in the footsteps of others who have self-identified in the hopes that will send a message to young men and women in sports that you must not allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are.”
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Makaraan ang ilang minuto, nagbigay naman ng pahayag si NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at binigyan nito ng suporta si Kennedy.
“I wholeheartedly support Bill’s decision to live his life proudly and openly,” ang sabi ni Silver. “Throughout his 18-year career with the league, Bill has excelled as a referee because of his passion, dedication and courage. Those qualities will continue to serve him well both as a game official and as a positive influence for others. While our league has made great progress, our work continues to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity.”
Ginawa ni Kennedy ang pag-amin sa kalagitnaan ng mainit na anti-gay isyu na nag-ugat kay Rajon Rondo guard ng koponan ng Sacramento Kings, na pinaalis ni Kennedy sa paglalaro makaraang makatanggap ng dalawang magkasunod na technical foul.
Humingi naman ng sorry si Rondo sa ipinakitang galit at pangungutya sa referee.
Kaugnay nito, nagpakita rin ng suporta kay Kennedy ang National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA).
Ang anunsiyo na ito ni Kennedy tungkol sa seksuwalidad ay pangalawa na. Ang una ay si NBA first female referee Violet Palmer na umamin rin na siya ay tomboy at pinakasalan nito ang kanyang longtime partner noong nakalipas na taon.
Si Kennedy ay nagsisilbing referee sa NBA sa loob halos ng 18 season at referee sa 1,056 season at 68 playoff games na may limang NBA Finals games. Siya rin ang naging referee sa 2010 FIBA World Championship at 2012 Olympics.
(CNN Philippines)
