Kieran Lovegrove Becomes One of Few Openly LGBTQ Players in Pro Baseball
Table of Contents
Introduction
Coming Out Publicly
LBGTQ Representation in Baseball
Lovegrove's Baseball Career
Calling for Change
Introduction
Minor league baseball player Kieran Lovegrove recently came out as bisexual in an interview, making him one of only a handful of openly LGBTQ players in professional baseball. He shared his story to shine a light on the difficulties of being closeted in the sport.
Coming Out Publicly
In an interview with ESPN published in December 2021, 27-year-old Lovegrove openly discussed his sexual orientation for the first time publicly. He shared his past struggles with mental health and substance abuse related to being closeted.
LGBTQ Representation in Baseball
Lovegrove joins Salem-Keizer Volcanoes player Bryan Ruby as one of only two publicly out LGBTQ players in pro baseball currently. Just four active openly gay male athletes play in the MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA combined.
Lovegrove's Baseball Career
Lovegrove was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2012 and has played in the minor leagues on 9 different teams over the past decade. He was considered for call-ups with the Giants, Dodgers, and Angels but never made it to the majors.
Calling for Change
Lovegrove encourages other closeted players to reach out to him. He wants to shine a light on the difficulty of being LGBTQ in such a traditional, masculine sport. Lovegrove hopes to spark positive change in baseball's culture.
By courageously coming out and sharing his story, Kieran Lovegrove paves the way for more openness and inclusion of LGBTQ individuals in professional baseball. He makes an important contribution to diversity in athletics.
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