CHRIS BURNS IS THE FIRST GAY COACH IN DIVISION 1 MEN’S BASKETBALL #pinkbits #pinkinourlives

A BITE OUT OF OUR PINK WORLD www.pinkinourlives.com

Chris Burns, the assistant men’s basketball coach at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., has come out as gay, and is the nation’s first Division 1 coach that came out.

WELCOME TO OUR TEAM!!!

Chris Burns has revealed he’s gay in a first-person essay published on Outsports!!!

Chris wrote:
“That day, when the Supreme Court released its decision, was when I knew beyond anything else: This is all bigger than myself. There is no greater feeling than being a part of something bigger than just you. That’s what has always made sports so special for me. Since then I started telling people in college basketball over the last few months and I’ve realized my fears were far worse than reality. I’ve realized that people, for the most part, are human beings first. For a guy who’s relatively cynical and can be negative, the reactions of people in my sport and in my life have shut me right up and reenergized my hope in the human spirit, in empathy….Like the people before me, I hope my story empowers someone, even if it’s just one person. But it’s a process for everyone. My advice: Take your time and be comfortable. Everyone’s personal journey is special and unique, and no one should feel pressure to do anything they aren’t comfortable with. But always know this: When the time comes to share your true self, you will feel so much love and relief and hope and freedom. It’s a truly special feeling, and I just can’t thank enough every single person who has helped guide and support me to this point”.

Senior forward Curtis Oakley told USA Today Sports, “There was an initial shock factor, but everyone was like ‘Yo, Burns, we rockin’ with you. It was all love.”

Duke coach Mike Krzyzeweski said, “One act of courage produces another. When I think of this, I think of tossing a big stone into a lake or a pond. The ripples he’s creating are huge. To me, it’s a huge step in the right direction for our sport because it can allow others who don’t feel like they can be who they are to do the same.”