Brittney Griner, Lesbian WBNA Player, Tells Youth 'Be Who You Are' At GLAAD Awards

During the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco , WBNA Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner recounted her coming out experience. The college basketball star stated that she came out to her mother in the 9th grade and encouraged others to come out as well.

"I encourage all youth, elder, doesn't matter what age group you fall in. It's never too late. It's never too early," Griner said. "If you know, then you know. Come out, don't hide it. Don't try to be like anybody else. Be who you are. Be comfortable in your own skin."

She also told the youth to contact her on Twitter, if there's ever a problem.

"Find me on Twitter. DM me, at me," she said. "We will find help."

Earlier this month, Griner publicly shared her coming out story in an op-ed for the New York Times.

"I was leaning against a wall in our house at the time, not doing anything in particular. For whatever reason, at that moment I let my mom know I was gay. It wasn’t planned," she wrote. "It just popped out. She gave me a hug, smiled and told me she loved me, and I went back upstairs to my room."