Is Brittney Griner Gay? Brittney Griner Spouse, Age, And More.
by Sharmila
Updated Jul 28, 2023
Is Brittney Griner Gay?
Yes, Brittney Griner is Gay, according to the information provided in the interview with SI.com on February 11, 2013, Brittney Griner publicly came out as a lesbian. In that interview, she opened up about her experiences of being bullied as a child, facing challenges due to her size, sexuality, and being different. Griner expressed her passion for working with children to draw attention to the issue of bullying, particularly concerning the LGBT community.
The interview sheds light on Griner's journey of self-acceptance and the difficulties she faced in coming to terms with her sexuality. She had previously come out to her parents in high school, but her father did not accept it well, leading her to live with an assistant coach for a period during her senior year.
To further address the topic of bullying and self-acceptance, Griner collaborated with Sue Hovey and wrote a memoir titled "In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court," which was published in 2014. This book likely delves deeper into her personal experiences, struggles, and triumphs as she navigated her identity and pursued her passion for basketball.
It is essential to respect and acknowledge an individual's self-identified sexual orientation, and in this case, Brittney Griner has openly identified as a lesbian. Her decision to come out publicly and use her platform to raise awareness about bullying and acceptance is commendable and has likely inspired and provided support to many others facing similar challenges.
Who is Brittney Griner?
Brittney Yevette Griner is a prominent American professional basketball player known for her success in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the U.S. women's national basketball team. Born on October 18, 1990, she stands 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm) tall, wears a men's U.S. size 17 shoe, and boasts an impressive arm span of 87.5 inches (222 cm).
Griner's basketball journey began in high school, where she was recognized as the nation's top female player in 2009 by Rivals.com. She was also selected to the 2009 All-American basketball team. After high school, she joined the Baylor Lady Bears in Waco, Texas, for her college basketball career. During her time at Baylor, she achieved great success, being named a three-time All-American and earning the prestigious AP Player of the Year title. In her senior year, Griner led Baylor to win the National Championship and also won the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the only NCAA basketball player to have scored 2,000 points and blocked 500 shots.
In 2013, Griner was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury. She had an outstanding professional career and played a pivotal role in helping the Mercury secure the 2014 WNBA championship. Throughout her career, she has been recognized as a six-time WNBA All-Star.
Internationally, Griner's excellence extends to her participation in the U.S. women's national basketball team. She has earned two Olympic gold medals, one from the 2016 Rio Olympics and another from the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan). Additionally, she has been a key player in leading Team USA to victory in the FIBA Women's World Cup in both 2014 and 2018.
Unfortunately, Griner's career faced a setback when, on February 17, 2022, she was detained and arrested by Russian customs officials on smuggling charges. The charges stemmed from cartridges containing less than a gram of medically prescribed hash oil that were found in her luggage. Griner had been playing basketball with the Russian Premier League during the WNBA off-season. After a trial that started on July 1, 2022, she pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison on August 4, 2022.
In November 2022, Griner was transferred to the Russian penal colony IK-2. The situation drew attention and concern from U.S. officials, who asserted that she had been wrongfully detained. Then, on December 8, 2022, Griner was released from prison in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
After her release, she made a remarkable reappearance in the WNBA on May 19, 2023, receiving immense support from fans, fellow athletes, and politicians who stood by her during her ordeal. Throughout her career, Griner's talent and contributions to basketball have earned her recognition as one of the sport's most influential figures. In 2023, Time magazine acknowledged her impact by including her in their list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
How Old Is Brittney Griner?
Brittney Yevette Griner is 32 years old. She was born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, United States.
Brittney Griner is a highly accomplished American professional basketball player who has made significant contributions to the sport. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm) tall, she possesses remarkable skills on the basketball court, making her one of the most dominant players in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the U.S. women's national basketball team.
Her basketball journey started gaining attention during her high school years when she was named the nation's No. 1 high school women's basketball player by Rivals.com in 2009. She was also selected to the 2009 All-American basketball team.
Griner's talent and abilities earned her a spot on the Baylor Lady Bears' college basketball team in Waco, Texas. During her time at Baylor, she achieved numerous accolades and records. Griner was a three-time All-American and was awarded the prestigious AP Player of the Year title. In her senior year, she played a crucial role in leading Baylor to win the National Championship.
In 2013, Brittney Griner was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury. Her professional career has been filled with remarkable achievements, including being a six-time WNBA All-Star. She played an instrumental role in leading the Phoenix Mercury to win the WNBA championship in 2014.
Griner's international basketball achievements are equally remarkable. She has represented the United States on the women's national basketball team and has earned two Olympic gold medals, one from the 2016 Rio Olympics and another from the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan). Additionally, she has helped Team USA secure two FIBA Women's World Cup victories in 2014 and 2018.
In addition to her on-court success, Brittney Griner has also been an advocate for important social issues. In a 2013 interview with SI.com, she came out as a lesbian and has since been passionate about working with children to address bullying, especially against the LGBT community. Griner's openness about her own experiences has provided inspiration and support for others facing similar challenges.
Her resilience, talent, and commitment to making a positive impact on and off the basketball court have earned her a place among the most influential figures in the world. In 2023, Time magazine recognized her contributions and named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Overall, Brittney Griner's achievements and advocacy make her a highly respected and influential figure in the world of basketball and beyond.
Who Is Brittney Griner Married To?
Brittney Griner was married to Cherelle Griner. Cherelle Griner is Brittney's wife, and they tied the knot in June 2019.
The couple first met during their time at Baylor University in Texas, where they both attended between 2009 and 2013. They didn't start dating immediately but developed a connection over time. Brittney has expressed that it was love at first sight for her, and she was impressed by Cherelle's beauty and charm.
Throughout their relationship, Cherelle has been a source of unwavering support for Brittney. As a highly accomplished professional basketball player, Brittney has faced both career highs and challenging moments, and Cherelle has stood by her side through it all. She has shown immense dedication to her wife, supporting her on and off the basketball court.
In August 2018, Brittney proposed to Cherelle, marking a significant milestone in their relationship. Cherelle accepted the proposal, and they got engaged. The following year, in June 2019, they officially became husband and wife, exchanging wedding vows in a ceremony filled with love and joy.
Their love and commitment to each other have been evident in the messages they share on social media and in public interviews. They have openly expressed their love and admiration for one another, with Brittney describing Cherelle as her best friend and the person who has been her backbone during challenging times.
Despite being in the public eye, they have managed to keep their relationship private to a significant extent, but they have occasionally shared glimpses of their life together through social media and public events. Their love and support for each other have made them a cherished couple within the basketball community and beyond.
Brittney Griner Spouse
Brittney Griner's spouse is Cherelle Griner. They got engaged in August 2018 and exchanged wedding vows one year later in June 2019. The couple first met during their time as students at Baylor University in Texas, where they both attended between 2009 and 2013.
According to Brittney's Instagram post in June 2020, they had a memorable first encounter when Cherelle tapped her on the shoulder and humorously claimed that Brittney took her milkshake (though it was still up for debate). Brittney was immediately struck by Cherelle's beauty and felt a strong connection from the beginning. Although they met during their college years, they didn't start dating until some time later.
Brittney has been vocal about her love and admiration for Cherelle, describing her as her best friend, lover, and partner in life. She has praised Cherelle for standing by her side during both her career highs and most difficult moments, showing unwavering support. Their relationship endured challenges, including Brittney's detainment in Russia on drug charges in March 2022, which garnered international attention.
In August 2018, Brittney took the initiative and proposed to Cherelle, expressing her love and appreciation for her unwavering support. Cherelle's love and dedication to Brittney have been evident throughout their relationship, and she has been transparent about her fears and concerns during her wife's imprisonment in Russia. Despite the distance, Cherelle consistently showed her support for Brittney and kept fans updated through social media.
The couple's wedding anniversary has been a time for sweet tributes and heartfelt messages to each other. In June 2020, on their one-year wedding anniversary, Brittney posted a touching message to Cherelle, praising her for never wavering in her love and showing her the true meaning of a committed relationship, filled with sacrifices, compassion, understanding, and communication.
Brittney Griner's relationship with Cherelle has been a source of strength and support for both of them, with their love for each other shining through in their public declarations of affection and appreciation. They have faced challenges together and celebrated their love and commitment through the years, making them a cherished couple in the public eye.
Is Brittney Griner Gay - FAQs
Brittney Griner publicly came out as a lesbian in an interview with SI.com on February 11, 2013.
Yes, in the same interview, she revealed that she was bullied as a child, facing challenges due to her size, sexuality, and being different.
Yes, Brittney Griner is married to Cherelle Griner. They got engaged in August 2018 and tied the knot in June 2019.
Brittney Griner has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women's national basketball team, one from the 2016 Rio Olympics and another from the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan).
Brittney Griner was detained in Russia on smuggling charges after cartridges containing less than a gram of medically prescribed hash oil were found in her luggage. She had been playing basketball with the Russian Premier League during the WNBA off-season. However, she was later released in a prisoner exchange for a Russian arms dealer.