AFFA brings former NFL player and gay rights activist to Charleston

Alliance for Full Acceptance hosts former NFL player Wade Davis at its monthly meeting on Thursday. Davis will speak on what it means to be gay in the NFL and coming out as an African-American man.

Davis played for the Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks, as well as two different teams within the NFL Europe league. Davis now works with LGBTQ youth at the Hetrick-Martin Institute.

Davis’ writings and interviews have appeared in several publications and television and radio shows. Davis is a member of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network sports advisory board. His autobiography, “Interference,” will soon be released.

Davis will be joined by his writing partner, Darnell Moore. They will discuss issues concerning black masculinity, sexuality and religion.

“For me, existing at the intersection of black manhood, black masculinity, sexuality and sports was the most dangerous place in the world,” Davis told Ebony magazine. “As an athlete you have to consistently prove yourself; as a black male athlete, I felt the pressure to consistently prove myself, my masculinity and my sexuality.”

The meeting, free and open to the public, begins with a reception at 5:45 p.m. at the Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Drive. The presentation starts at 6:15 p.m.

For more information, visit www.affa-sc.org.