Former MLB pitcher TJ House, 33, comes out as gay as he announces his engagement

Former MLB pitcher TJ House has come out as gay when announcing his engagement to his longtime boyfriend.

The 33 year old house made the disclosure on Facebook, explaining that he has ‘wrestled’ with his identity for much of his life: ‘Shame has kept me quiet all these years, but love has finally set me free.’

The announcement also coincides with the passage of the Respect Marriage Act, which repeals the Defense of Marriage Act and requires all US federal government agencies to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages.

“Today’s passage of the Respect for Marriage Act protects us to have the same rights and opportunities each of you has,” House wrote on Facebook last week in a post that featured engagement photos of him and his fiancé. , Ryan Neitzel.

“It protects the same benefits,” he continued. It makes us equal to you. Let Ryan Neitzel and I come together and create something beautiful. It gives me the confidence to commit to the person I love, to marry her. I have a wonderful fiancée, who challenges me daily to become a better person.

“I am finally healing, and days like today are the ones that help me continue to grow into the person I have always been, one that I have locked away for more than 20 years. Today I am loved.’

House also described Neitzel in her post: ‘I have an amazing fiancé, who challenges me every day to become a better person. To live life authentically. One I never deserved but was lucky to have. I love it, you see, it’s for everyone.

House, a left-handed side-arm pitching, logged four major league seasons, posting a 4.44 ERA as both a starter and reliever.

The Louisiana native was a member of the 2016 Cleveland Indians who lost in the World Series to the Chicago Cubs.

He would move to Toronto in 2017, but suffered a horrible injury in spring training when he was hit in the face with a line drive. He would start the season in the minors, but was ultimately called up late in the season, which would turn out to be his last in the majors.

House joins only a few other professional baseball players who have come out, including former Tigers, Dodgers and Padres outfielder Billy Bean (not to be confused with former A’s general manager Billy Beane), as well as Glenn Burke, another former Dodgers outfielder.