Sheryl Swoopes Opens Doors with Honesty and Courage

NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign
For Immediate Release - Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005

Contact: Steven Fisher | Phone: (202) 216-1547 | Cell: (202) 431-7608
Contact: Brad Luna | Phone: (202) 216-1514 | Cell: (202) 812-8140


Sheryl Swoopes Opens Doors with Honesty and Courage

"Sheryl Swoopes is a real hero on and off the court," said Human Rights
Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the
following statement as three-time WNBA MVP player and Olympic gold
medalist Sheryl Swoopes came out today in an interview with ESPN's The
Magazine.

"Sheryl Swoopes is a real hero on and off the court. Being open and
honest about your life is an act of bravery. This MVP player and
Olympic gold medalist is helping to start real conversations about
openness, honesty and authenticity. We commend her for this brave step
that will mean so much to her gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and
straight supportive fans and peers."

In an interview with The Magazine, Swoopes said, "Some people might say
my coming out after just winning the MVP award is heroic, and I
understand that. And I know there are going to be some negative things
said, too. But it doesn't change who I am. I can't help who I fall in
love with. No one can."

Read the Human Rights Campaign's Resource Guide to Coming Out for
African-Americans:
http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=African_Americans&Template=/Cont
entManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=17568

The Human Rights Campaign has a guide to conversations about GLBT
issues, available at:
http://anon.newmediamill.speedera.net/anon.newmediamill/tom/conversation
/index.html

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay,
bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and
educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest
and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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