Humphries: 'A voice for the voiceless'

Monday, September 11, 2023

Almost ten months since his momentous announcement, Isaac Humphries’ motives are still just as clear. He wants to help give people a voice.

It was an incredible moment when Isaac Humphries courageously announced to the world, “just be you”, as he became the first professional basketballer around the world to become openly gay.

The announcement made news worldwide, as the basketball and wider community rallied in support of the inspirational NBL star.

Almost ten months since that momentous day, Humphries’ motives are still just as clear.

“The whole goal of my coming out was to be a role model and to be a voice for people that maybe didn’t have a voice,” he told NewsCorp.

“You can’t make a difference sitting at home not sharing your experiences. I did this to be a voice for the voiceless … coming out and being quiet and not doing much was never going to be the plan.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am so proud to announce my ambassadorship with <a href="https://twitter.com/ruokday?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ruokday</a>. Lending my voice in the mental health space is extremely important to me. One conversation can change a life. So, join me as I encourage you to be here, to hear <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RUOK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RUOK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RUOKDAY?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RUOKDAY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iamheretohear?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iamheretohear</a> <a href="https://t.co/gfQpTgwUba">https://t.co/gfQpTgwUba</a></p>— Isaac Humphries (@IsaacHumphries7) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsaacHumphries7/status/1700729231842623593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Humphries is determined to make a difference. He’s signed up as an ambassador for R U OK? Day, which is this Thursday, September 14.

“When that question was asked to me, ‘Are you okay?’, it was quite liberating to express that I wasn’t and share that I had been going through a lot of struggles,” he said of his past experiences.

The Adelaide 36ers star says music has provided a great release for him in difficult times. He plays the piano and writes songs on the challenges he’s overcome, and that still present today.

“I have been through extremely dark times during this journey, but I have been through so much growth, and I am now happy with who I am,” Humphries said in November.

“I have finally come to a point where I know I can reveal myself as a gay man and still play professional sport.”

A conversation can change a life. R U OK? Inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life.

Find out more about R U OK? Day

Read the full story here >> ‘A voice for the voiceless’: Isaac Humphries on coming back from the brink