Isaac Humphries came out publicly as gay last year, hoping to pave the way for more professional athletes to do the same.
The Melbourne United basketball player embarked on a long personal journey to accept his sexuality, sometimes going to extremes to try to change it.
The 26-year-old tells the latest episode of the Mental like anyone else podcast that even tried hypnotherapy.
“I definitely had the autohomophobia, the shame and hatred that many gay people who don’t recognize themselves feel,” he said.
“You just spiral down into a huge hole. Sure, in the grand scheme of things it’s not that big of a deal these days, but the residual effects that it was having on my life were a big part of why I was spiraling into such a dark space.”
Desperate, Isaac asked a hypnotherapist to change his thoughts.
“I went to a hypnotherapist and I opened up to them and said, ‘Can you try to hypnotize me to stop thinking like that about men and maybe rewire my thought process to think like that about women so I don’t have to deal with that? ‘” she said.
Isaac continued: ‘I was like, ‘I want a wife and kids and a house and a family.’
Isaac Humphries (pictured) came out publicly as gay last year, hoping to pave the way for more professional athletes to do the same.
“We started hypnotizing me to think only about that and nothing else, just those bad thoughts. I was like, ‘Wow, this is crazy,’ but I did it because I couldn’t stand the idea of being gay. Obviously it didn’t work.”
Humphries became the first openly gay player in NBL history, and only the second player to do so in a top-tier competition around the world, when he made his announcement to his teammates.
He is the second active athlete in one of Australia’s major sporting leagues to come out as gay, joining A-League Men’s player Josh Cavallo.
“I think it’s definitely time to make a change and set an example for the next generation that they can be whatever they want to be while still being true to themselves,” Humphries said last year.
‘I want to show that you can be a professional athlete, you can be whatever you want and still be gay.’
The Melbourne United basketball player embarked on a long personal journey to accept his sexuality, sometimes going to extremes to try to change it.
United’s first-choice centre-half told team-mates he had been through “extremely dark times” and had hidden his sexuality from loved ones and even himself, leading him to contemplate ending it all at one point.
“It’s a truth about myself that I’ve wanted to deny for a long time, but now I feel comfortable telling everyone. That truth is that I’m gay,” Humphries said.
‘I’ve been through some extremely dark times during this journey, but I’ve grown a lot and I’m happy with who I am now.
‘I discovered a lot of things about myself during this last offseason and I’ve thought about it a lot.
The 26-year-old tells in the latest episode of the Mental As Anyone podcast that he even tried hypnotherapy. “I definitely had the homophobia, shame and hatred that a lot of gay people who don’t recognise themselves feel,” he said.
‘I knew that if I joined a team and started a season, I knew I would have to reveal who I am and not hide anymore.’
He signed with Melbourne United last July.
“We, as athletes, as professional athletes, have a responsibility to set an example for people,” he told his teammates in the video statement.
‘And the truth is that there are so many people in other worlds who struggle every day and don’t know how to get up, don’t know how to exist.
‘I know how it feels and I want to represent those people.
‘That’s my goal behind this, to make sure people know that you can be whatever you want, no matter who you are or what you do.
“I just want to be myself. I’ve discovered that that’s my purpose in life and I’m going to do my best.”
“You just get into a huge spiral. Sure, in the grand scheme of things it’s not such a big deal these days, but the residual effects that it was having on my life were a big part of why I fell into such a dark place,” he added. Pictured with The Veronicas at the GQ Awards
Humphries is the second male basketball player to come out as gay while playing in one of the world’s top basketball leagues.
NBA veteran Jason Collins was the first, in 2013.
Humphries’ announcement came ahead of a reunion with his former club, the Adelaide 36ers, at John Cain Arena on Thursday night.
United CEO Nick Truelson and head coach Dean Vickerman said the organization is proud of Humphries.
“Today is an incredible step in Isaac’s journey and we, as a club, support him wholeheartedly,” Truelson said.
‘Not only as a member of our club, but as a person.
“This is a momentous event for him personally, but also for men’s sport on a global scale.”
A host of sports stars, fans, teams and even the NBA itself praised Humphries for taking such a big step.
“I went to a hypnotherapist and I just opened up to them and said, ‘Can you try to hypnotize me to stop thinking that way about men and rewire my thought process to think that way about women so I don’t have to deal with that?'” the basketball player said.
“We are proud and grateful to Isaac for sharing his story,” reads a post on the NBA’s official Twitter account.
“We know the real impact his courage and honesty will have on so many others. Isaac has our unwavering respect and support.”
AFL side Brisbane Lions responded: “Inspiring and helping people by sharing your story mate!”, while A-League side Adelaide United added: “Proud of you @IsaacHumphries7.”
NBL franchises Adelaide 36ers and Tasmania JackJumpers were among the Australian teams to congratulate Humphries on taking a major step forward for the sport.
NBA coach Dave Love was also thrilled with the news, as was Perth Wildcats owner Craig Hutchison, who wrote: “Incredibly brave, powerful and inspiring. Thank you @IsaacHumphries7 for sharing your experience. The entire @NBL world is with you.”
