Arts & Entertainment

Israeli professional basketball player Uri Kokia comes out as gay

the athlete is raising a daughter with his partner

Published

7 years ago

November 30, 2017

Mariah Cooper

Uri Kokia has come out as gay making him the first professional basketball player to come out as gay in Israel.

Kokia, 36, came out in an interview with ynet.co.il on Wednesday.

“I want to show you can make a long and glorious career as a gay man,” Kokia says. “The fear of coming out of the closet is unreal. I want to connect with young people and tell them that you can be different and do what you love.”

Kokia has been playing basketball professionally for 15 years. He is currently a striker for Hapoel Ramat Gan. He and his partner live together and are raising a daughter together.

In a Facebook post, Kokia thanked his fans for their support.

“It’s not easy to put all the thoughts and feelings I’m going through right now. So I’m just gonna say thank you to everyone… for the kind words,” Kokia writes.

Photos

PHOTOS: Black Pride Opening Reception

Special guests include Ts Madison, Kerri Colby

Published

2 days ago

May 25, 2025

Michael Key

Ts Madison entertains at the Black Pride Opening Ceremony on Friday, May 23 at the Capital Hilton. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Opening Reception for the 34th annual D.C. Black Pride was held at the Capital Hilton on Friday, May 23. Presenters, speakers and entertainers included Ts Madison, Monroe Alise, Billy the Goat, Kerri Colby, Apple Brown Betty, Heather Mahogani, Lyrical Mar, Lolita Leopard, Ink, and Bang Garçon. Anthony Oakes was the host.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)