David Denson is a Role Model

Courage. The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

What is being brave? How do you face something difficult without having fear?

I don’t believe that you can. I believe that you can be courageous even in the face of fear. You can face adversity with trepidation. David Denson exhibited courage in ways unseen when he came out in August of 2015.

Coming out while playing minor league baseball has to be more difficult that anyone can imagine. You have so much to gain, yet even more to lose.

When you are in the minors you are working on making it to the majors. You are working on achieving a lifetime goal all while wrestling with the feeling inside that you are different than all of your teammates. You see guys taking their girlfriends out on dates and being normal, all while struggling to understand what you are feeling. To step out of that discomfort and make it comfortable is the ultimate courageous act because it can all be gone in a second.

Now David and I aren’t the same. I came out while being a batboy for the Nationals, and while cool, it’s nothing comparable to actually being on the team. I had other options if coming out ruined that opportunity for me. I had other paths to take, but when you dream of playing in the majors coming out could ruin your career if somebody doesn’t like it or accept it.

Now it does not have to look like this. The trepidation does not have to exist.

If more young athletes come out in high school and college we can have a sports climate that is supportive of LGBT athletes. Coming out won’t have to be a thing because it won’t matter who you fall in love with; all that will matter is what you can contribute to the team.

That is all that LGBT people who work in sports want.

It’s not about us at all, but it is about making it easier for those that come after us. Clearing the path so others can have an easier road later.

One of my mentors Billy Bean has been instrumental in this effort. His work helped David come out and myself as well. We need role models and with David coming out he has become one. He probably doesn’t fully know the impact that simply being himself has made on the sports world. I probably wouldn’t have come out without reading his story and seeing how his experience so closely resembled mine.

As a black man, it is hard to be in two minority groups because of the disadvantages both groups face. However, being afraid is not the answer. We have to stand up and embrace what makes us different. Differences brings togetherness and with that we can slowly change the world and bring people together.

LGBT people coming out in sports is greater than that.

Sports represent hope and passion in our country and that model can be an agent for change. I know growing up that I wouldn’t have had as many bad nights where I didn’t want to live if I had people to look up to and show me that it does get better. I wouldn’t have lived in a closet. I wouldn’t have been that afraid.

Thanks to the courage that David exhibited some kids won’t have to feel those fears anymore. I used to believe that being gay made me less of a person than everyone else.

That’s not the case at all.

It just means that I have a different view of the world that we live in. I view a world where everyone can be themselves, be happy, and live their truths. I know that there is divisiveness and bigotry but we cannot combat this with hate speech of our own, but by being true to ourselves.

Love is always stronger than hate.

Finally, thank you to David for being himself. It probably was not easy, but it was necessary. While other professional leagues have had players at the top level come out while active, baseball has lagged behind. I am confident that the tide is turning and soon this will no longer be an issue.

Every movement has pioneers and David’s courage has made him one. Countless lives have been saved due to his selflessness. I haven’t had the privilege of meeting David, but if I do I will say thank you.

Thank you for starting the conversation and thank you for having the courage to be yourself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Spenser Clark is a former Washington Nationals batboy who, in November 2015, came out via an article at OutSports.com. He is currently studying law at the University of Georgia. You can follow Spenser on Twitter at @spenser_clark.

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