Michael Sam, NFL free agent and the first openly gay player to be drafted in any major American sport, is set to speak on campus next month.
The Cross Cultural Center for Excellence, formerly known as the Multicultural Center, is collaborating with Spectrum, the University’s gay and straight alliance organization, to coordinate the event.
“Mr. Sam made history when he came out as gay ahead of the NFL draft, making him the first openly-LGBTQI+ player to be drafted in any major American sport,” Allen Sutton director for the Cross-Cultural Center for Excellence, said in an email.
“Since his announcement, through scrutiny, criticism and admiration, he has become an icon and pioneer for the LGBTQI+ community. The Cross-Cultural Center felt that bringing Mr. Sam to Auburn to tell his inspiring story was a great way to begin celebrating LGBTQI+ History Month.”
“From Hitchcock High to the NFL: I am Michael Sam” is set for Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Foy Auditorium — two days before conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos will speak in the same auditorium.
A previous version of this article stated Sam was set to speak Oct. 7. It has been updated to reflect the correct date. We regret the error.
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