It seems that one of the hardest things a gay person has to do is come out. Many wait for just the right moment and often fear that it might alienate family and friends.
But, what is you were outed in pubic? That has to be the worse.
That is exactly what happened to Kwame Harris this week. Harris appeared in court Monday after his former boyfriend, Dimitri Geier, filed a civil suit against him. Geier is charging the former NFL offensive tackle, who played for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, with domestic violence causing great bodily injury and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury.
It all started with soy sauce at the Su Hong restaurant. Apparently, Geier put it on rice and that upset Harris. That led to an argument in which Harris left, then returned and told Geier that he would not give him a ride to the airport and would throw his luggage out of his car. Geier claims he said he would call a cab and left the restaurant to remove his luggage when Harris pushed him and assaulted him.
Until this lawsuit, it seems that no one from the 49ers were aware of Harris’ sexual orientation.
The nice part, if there could be one, is that some of Harris’ former teammates seemed supportive. Delanie Walker was teammates with Harris for two seasons and said that if he had known, “it probably wouldn’t have made a difference.” Although he did point out that other guys might have felt differently. Walker went on to say, “That’s him. If that’s what he’s into, that’s what he’s into. I can’t judge a person for how he feels. Things happen. He was a great player. I don’t see him no differently.”
Andy Lee, who also played on the 49ers with Harris, said, “To each his own. It is what it is. You go about it and do your job and that’s what you’re there for.” Former teammate Brian Jennings said, “We’re all there for the common purpose of winning football games. I don’t know if it mattered or if anyone was aware of his sexual orientation.”
Currently, there has never been an openly gay active NFL player. The few who have come out, like David Kopay, who played in the NFL from 1964 until 1972, make the statement after retirement. But, many are speculating that it won’t be long before an active player makes the announcement that he is gay.