Punter for the Minnesota Vikings Chris Kluwe has been at the forefront of professionally athletes advocating for marriage equality. Most recently, he filed a brief with the United States Supreme Court alongside Brendon Ayanbadejo to support gay marriage. Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Rashad Evans added his support to the controversial cause when he signed the brief earlier this week.
Additionally, Evans spoke with Outsports to give his definitive opinion on gay marriage:
“I’ve never been a homophobe, never understood what that is all about. I knew some people who were gay and never cared about their sexuality. But at the same time, I didn’t fully understand the issues around gay people until my friend BA started telling me about his full public support for gay marriage. We talked about the issue and I decided its not enough to not be against a minority, if you want things to go better for them you have to speak up with them.
“I’m a UFC fighter, a macho-type sport. I am a heterosexual guy in a tough macho sport, which is exactly the reason I feel a duty to say I support gay marriage and gay rights.
“I have nothing to gain personally from supporting this issue, and that’s the point. Society as a whole is better when there is equality, and I want to live in a country where everyone has the same rights because we all benefit from that.
“What people overlook is that is isn’t a sex issue, its a love issue. There’s no justifiable reason for trying to get in the way of two people who love each other.
“I have kids. I don’t want them growing up in a society where they, or their friends, could be second class citizens based on which person they fall in love with or who they want to be happy with.”
Evans last fought at UFC 156 where he lost a unanimous decision to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Up next he’ll face Dan Henderson at UFC 161. The event will on June 15 in the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Canada.