TJ House, who pitched for the Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays during his time in the league, took to social meida on Thursday to pen a heartfelt and emotional public coming-out message while announcing his engagement to his boyfriend.
House came out as he addressed the Respect for Marriage Act that was passed by Congress this week.
“Today’s passage of the Respect for Marriage Act protects us to have the same rights and opportunities that each of you have,” House wrote on Facebook.
“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, to marry them. I have a wonderful fiancé, who challenges me daily to become a better person. To live life authentically. … I’m finally healing, and days like today are what helps me continue to grow into the person I’ve been all along, one I’ve locked up for 20-plus years. Today I am loved.”
House is the third former MLB player to come out as gay, joining Billy Bean and Glenn Burke.
During his four years played in the league, he recorded a 4.44 ERA and 5–7 record on the mound. After three years with Cleveland, he spent his final year with Toronto in 2017.
