It was a real pleasure meeting a speaking with Derrick Gordon at the UMass Mullins Center media event this past Wednesday afternoon, after the news broke that morning that he is the first active (two years of eligibility remaining) male gay basketball player in a major Div. 1 program. More on this event upcoming in this week’s Advocate. But for now, here’s a few links of recommended reading.

Gordon came out via two excellent articles, each of which includes video interviews:

Derrick Gordon Find His Freedom, by Cyd Ziegler, Outsports, April 9.

Derrick Gordon Openly Smiling, by Kate Fagan, ESPNW, April 9.

Longtime Boston sports media commentator Steve Buckley came out just a few years ago. Here’s his reaction.

Inspiration is the Real Story for Derrick Gordon, by Steve Buckley, Boston Herald, April 10.

And of course, the Westboro Baptist Church has posted their intention to come to the UMass campus this upcoming Wednesday at noon to picket the school’s support for its gay basketball player. Blah blah blah.

Westboro Baptist Church says it will picket at UMass following Derrick Gordon’s announcement that he’s gay, by Daniel Malone, Springfield Republican, April 12.