Why listen
America's first openly gay pro tennis player opens up about family, faith, and life on the court.
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In this episode
- What it actually costs to come out as a professional athlete
- How his relationship with his mom nearly broke and then healed
- The mixed reactions his coming out received from the sports world
- How his tennis academy is shaping the next generation of athletes
About this episode
Lendale Johnson made headlines as America’s first openly gay professional tennis player. But not everyone saw his coming out as something to be celebrated. Lendale’s sexuality affects his life everyday, on and off the court. And it nearly destroyed his relationship with his mom. Today, Lendale is here to talk about the reality of being an out professional athlete, his family’s journey to acceptance and how his tennis academy inspires the next generation of athletes.Be sure to follow Lendale on IG!
Your host is Levi Chambers, co-founder of Gayety.
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*This podcast is not affiliated with Pride Media.
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About PRIDE
On Pride, host Caitlynn McDaniel deep dives into the LGBTQ+ stories lighting up our screens — and the people who bring them to life. Each week, she sits down with the stars we love, the creators behind the scenes, and the voices changing the way stories are told.
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