March 13, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Third Former Major League Baseball Players Comes out as Gay

By Susan Payne

This December, love is taking the place of the shame for former major league baseball player T.J. House who announced his coming out and his engagement to Ryan Neitzel this month. 

House pitched for the Cleveland Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays from 2014 to 2017, said in an emotional Facebook post that he used baseball as his drug to numb was what really going on inside. 

“I loved every moment of my playing days, and I would go the same route again if I had the chance (with one big change). But even with all the money, fancy cars, nice clothes and a little tiny bit of fame, I would go home every night wishing I could change. Deep down I wanted something more, I wanted to be loved not for what I did, but who I was,” House posted. 

House said in the post that he could not be himself around many people because of conversations he heard from others. 

“It’s hard listening to people talk about you without them knowing that the words they are saying are directed at you,” he said. 

Shame kept him from coming, but “love has finally set me free,” he said. 

House is the third former MLB player to come out publicly, according to Outsports. The others are Glenn Burke from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics, who came out in 1982, and Billy Bean, who came out in 1999 after playing for the Detroit Tigers, the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres. 

Bean, the league’s senior vice president of diversity, equity and inclusions, told Outsports that the news of House coming out is a great day for the league and baseball. 

Outsports contributor Ken Schultz said in a statement that House’s announcement is significant because few pro athletes in men’s sports have come out and baseball in particular is still waiting for its first active LGBTQ player.

“TJ choosing to share his story publicly reinforces our presence in the clubhouse and gives modern-day players an example of one of their peers living as his true self and sharing his strength and happiness with the world,” Schultz said.

House said recent passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, which was signed into law nearly a week ago, will allow House and his fiancé “to have the same rights and opportunities that each of you have.”

“It protects the same benefits. It makes us equal to you. It allows Ryan Neitzel and I to come together and create something beautiful. It gives me the confidence to get engaged to the person I love (he said Yes!), to marry them,” he said. “I have a wonderful fiancé, who challenges me daily to become a better person.”

Now that he’s out, House said he is finally healing after locking who he was for more than 20 years. 

“Today I am Loved,” he wrote.

in NEWS
Related Posts

(Video) Baltaire’s Amazing 10th Anniversary Party

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

The Greek Salad prepared table side. Bluefin Toro with Crispy Rice, wasabi, spicy mayo, pickled ginger. Chateaubriand, 16 oz, with...

(Video) Wildfire Attorney. Law Offices of Allen Farshi

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

How The Law Offices of Allen Farshi Can Safeguard You Amid Wildfire Loss. For more information, check out the video...

Baltaire Celebrates 10 Years with a ‘Decade of Decadence’ Anniversary Bash On Saturday

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Brentwood’s Iconic Steakhouse Marked a Milestone With an Unforgettable Night of Fine Dining Last Saturday night was the official party...

(Video) H&H Bagels Now Open in Santa Monica

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

The New York Bagel Spot finally arrived at 710 Montana to crowds and long lines. Here’s that bagel sandwich goodness....

The Ultimate Guide to St. Patrick’s Day 2025 in West Los Angeles, Where to Eat, Drink & Party

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

From Irish-Inspired Brunches to Green Beer Towers & Drag Bingo, We’ve Got You Covered Los Angeles is going all out...

Eat + Drink West Hollywood Returns for a Month-Long Culinary Celebration

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Dine, Drink, and Support Hospitality Workers Affected by Wildfires Eat + Drink West Hollywood is making a grand return this...

Michelin Unveils Newest Additions to Its California Guide, Seven Los Angeles Restaurants Recognized

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Exciting New Dining Destinations Join the Michelin Selection in Los Angeles, Culver City, Santa Monica ​The Michelin Guide has recently...

Flux Screening Series Returns with Daring Short Films and Music Videos at the Hammer Museum

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Experience Avant Garde Cinema, Live Filmmaker Presentations, and Guest DJ Sonrista The Flux Screening Series is set to bring the...

Latinx LGBTQ+ Celebration Brings Music & Pride to West Hollywood on March 13

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Mariachi Arcoíris de Los Ángeles, Queen Angelina, and Colibrí Will Take the Stage A vibrant celebration of Latinx LGBTQIA+ talent...

Trump Posts Image of Nazi-Era Persecution Symbol in Alarming Social Media Message

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Symbol Used by the Nazis to Persecute Gay Men During World War II On Sunday, March 9, President Donald Trump...

Brazen Burglars Target Pico Robertson Businesses in Early Morning Heist

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Smash-and-Grab Crew Ransacks Kosher Pizza Shop and Pharmacy A trio of burglars wearing hooded sweatshirts ransacked a pizza shop and...

Menendez Family Blasts DA Hochman’s Decision, Calls for Justice in Resentencing Review

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

The Justice for Lyle and Erik Coalition Condemns District Attorney Hochman The family of Lyle and Erik Menendez has condemned...

Evacuation Warnings Issued for LA Burn Areas, PCH Closure Announced as Storm Approaches

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Residents in High-Risk Zones Urged to Prepare for Possible Mudslides Officials have issued evacuation warnings for multiple areas in Los...

First Measles Case of 2025 Confirmed in LA County Amid Growing Outbreak in the United States

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

Health Officials Urge Vaccination and Symptom Monitoring for Unvaccinated Residents ​The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) has...

Sunset Strip Staple Rock & Reilly’s Seems to Close Just Before St. Patrick’s Day

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

Last Call? Rock & Reilly’s on Sunset Strip Reportedly Closes Its Doors ​Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub, a well-known establishment...