Magic Johnson On Gay Son: ‘We’re Behind Him A Million Percent’
News this week that Magic Johnson’s son EJ is gay ended up being a strong lesson in how to support a LGBT child, and the basketball legend has openly discussed his family’s reaction to the news.
Magic Johnson himself has been an ally of the gay community for a long time, a natural alignment given his diagnosis of HIV with which he went public in the early 90s. Eventually becoming an activist for those living with HIV and AIDS, Johnson was well familiar with issues that LGBT people face.
When Johnson’s son was revealed to be gay earlier this week, the hoops star was supportive — but he’s expounded upon the family’s feelings on son EJ’s coming out.
While Magic Johnson’s son only publicly revealed his sexual orientation Tuesday, the basketball player says he’s known for a long time. Johnson said EJ was about 12 when they first touched upon the matter, and even then he and wife Cookie were supportive.
“We finally had to sit down and talk about it. I told him, ‘Look, I’m gonna love you regardless, just let me know. Are you, or aren’t you?’ And finally he said, ‘Yes, I am.’ ”
Johnson admits it was hard simply because he worried about EJ, but adds:
“I told him, ‘We are here to support you. We are gonna love no matter who you are, what you do. We just want you to love yourself and also make sure that you have all the information … I wanted to provide him with advice and guidance.”
Magic also says EJ was worried, but that he didn’t have to be:
“He really wanted to make sure I was okay. He wasn’t worried about his mom, he was worried about me … I love EJ so much. That’s my main man. I told him, ‘Nothing has changed.’ ”
Now that EJ is out, Johnson says that a weight has been lifted from everyone’s shoulders, and explains:
“This was a moment for us as a family and an even greater moment for him … I think now he’s just the bubbly kid we knew again. He’s just happy that it is out. I’m behind him a million percent. This is really wonderful for him.”
Do you think Magic Johnson is a great example of how to support an LGBT child?
