Hampton University’s Byron Perkins on coming out as gay: ‘I have no problem telling my truth.’

Byron Perkins is proud of being gay, so, inevitably, the “weight” of keeping it secret became unbearable.

Still, it’s understandable why Perkins, who starts at cornerback for the Hampton University football team, was hesitant to tell his coaches, teammates and others about his sexual preference.

“The stigma of homosexuality in the African American and football communities has been a stigma of negativity,” said Perkins, a 22-year-old junior from Chicago who transferred to Hampton from Purdue. “Football is such a masculine sport that abides by a lot of heterosexual normatives, people think there’s no way you can be gay.

“That’s not true. If you love football you can be gay. If you love football you can be straight. If you love football you can be bi.

“It’s all about being your authentic self.”

Perkins’ authentic self had to remove the weight. He did so Oct. 19 in a post to his Instagram page with a story he shared with Outsports.com, an LGBTQ sports news site.

Because he is believed to be the first Division I college football player from a Historically Black College and University to come out publicly, the story went national. The Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, ABC News and MSNBC are among many he says sought comment.

But Perkins chose to remain quiet after his announcement to focus on football, a move that paid handsome dividends on the field. Since making a season-high five tackles in the Pirates’ first-ever Colonial Athletic Association victory (38-37 over Albany) days before his announcement, he has been on something of a roll.

“You can see a difference in Byron since he came out,” Hampton University head coach Robert Prunty said. “He seems to be playing more relaxed and with more confidence.

“He’s playing well, and we needed him to, because injuries cut us down to three cornerbacks and he’s had to play both cornerback positions. I couldn’t ask for a more outstanding job and it looks like he’s having more fun.”

Perkins broke his silence in an interview with The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press on Saturday, the day of the Pirates’ season-ending game at Towson, declaring “I have no problem telling my truth.”

In fact, Perkins feels he has to tell it. Keeping his sexuality a secret was negatively affecting a lot of things: school, his personal life and especially football. He agrees with Prunty that he played better after coming out.

“I’ve been able to play more free and less tense,” Perkins said. “I haven’t had the shield or mask, so to speak, holding me back.

“It was one of those secrets I didn’t want on my shoulders anymore. By getting it off of my chest I was able to essentially not only able to help myself, but in a sense help my team because I was able to play (more freely).

“I’m just playing for me and the guy next to me, now. As long as I do that, that’s most important for the team.”

Perkins admits his announcement, made the week of the Pirates’ Homecoming game against nationally ranked Richmond, caught his teammates and coaches by surprise. All have responded positively he said, proving, as he believes, that if a player performs well his sexuality is irrelevant.

“There have been no negatives,” Perkins said. “Coach Prunty, my teammates and my coaches have been in my corner from Day 1.

“Nobody has turned a blind eye to me, nobody has rejected me and nobody has said anything bad.

“Everyone has essentially treated me the same and that’s all I’ve ever wanted — to be treated with the same respect I had before. It’s been a dream come true and I’m really grateful my coaches and teammates and coaches have been able to do that for me.

“It was a big sense of relief to be able to take that weight off of my shoulders, like telling people your deepest, darkest secret. It is a relief that has helped me mentally to be able to tolerate the things that were going on in my life.”

Their acceptance, and the acceptance of his friends and family (”my biggest rock”) has allowed Perkins “to become a symbol for a lot of people.” With this football season behind him, he will respond to the national outlets seeking to hear his story.

He will not offer one-size-fits-all advice for others contemplating when they should come out. He “lifted the weight” from his shoulders in October because the timing felt right and will advise others to do the same.

“Do it when it’s right for you,” he said. “Don’t feel you have to be pressured into doing it quickly.

“It’s your story. You are the one writing the narrative.

“I would tell that person to be their authentic selves all the time. When they are ready to announce who they are to the world, do it with a smile.”

Marty O’Brien, mjobrien@dailypress.com