Magic Johnson and his son EJ Johnson attend The Elizabeth Taylor Ball to Finish AIDS (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Retired basketball star Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson Jr has shared a heartwarming birthday message to his homosexual son, Earvin ‘EJ’ Johnson III.
Celebrating the American tv persona and socialite’s thirty second birthday, Johnson proved but once more what a improbable LGBTQ+ ally he’s by posting an cute dedication to his homosexual little one.
Johnson wrote: “Joyful Birthday to my son, EJ!
“EJ is wonderful and clever and has helped so many different individuals stay life as their genuine selves, comfy in their very own pores and skin.”
“Always remember I’ll at all times be right here to assist, information, and love you as a result of I’m your greatest fan!”
The 64-year-old basketball legend’s message was accompanied by a photograph of Johnson and EJ, the place the latter is sporting a shocking robe.
What’s EJ Johnson finest recognized for?
EJ is finest recognized for starring within the actuality sequence Wealthy Youngsters of Beverly Hills. The present was cancelled after 4 seasons and EJ went on to characteristic within the spinoff present, EJNYC.
In addition to his TV appearances, EJ is understood for his androgynous model and gender fluidity.
After popping out as homosexual in 2013, EJ revealed: “I at all times wished to come back into the highlight.
“I at all times had desires and plans of doing my very own factor and creating my very own picture, so it got here somewhat prior to I believed it could however that is nonetheless one thing I knew I might be going by and must expertise.”
“[I want to be] the voice for younger homosexual individuals who want somebody to be on TV or wherever else to speak to them and discuss every kind of points that each one of us face and never simply gay points however every kind of points… I positively need to set a extremely good instance.”
EJ added that his dad and mom had at all times been “tremendous supportive,” though Magic Johnson did cry when EJ got here out. Based on EJ, Johnson walked into his room “And was like, ‘We’re going to get by this and I simply want time.’ And we each began crying somewhat bit.”
Magic Johnson’s LGBTQ+ allyship
Talking on Ellen, Johnson shared his expertise of fatherhood: “It’s all about loving them irrespective of who they’re or what they determine to do.
“When my son got here out, I used to be so completely happy for him and completely happy for us as dad and mom. We love him. EJ is wonderful. So you bought to assist your little one, as a result of there are such a lot of individuals who attempt to discriminate towards them, so that they want you to assist them.
“As a result of in case you don’t assist them, who’s going to assist them? And love them? It’s actually essential.’
EJ’s mom, Cookie Johnson, additionally shared a celebratory birthday message for EJ on Tuesday (4 June).
“Joyful Birthday my EJ! Wishing you the perfect birthday ever,” she wrote alongside a sequence of photographs together with EJ as a baby, in addition to newer photographs that present him modelling a number of gorgeous appears to be like.
Cookie added: “Proceed to be your most lovely self!! I like and admire you a lot. Can’t wait to have fun with you at the moment. I like you a lot!”
Beforehand, EJ’s mom had shared how she struggled to reconcile EJ’s sexuality and “turned to God” to just accept her son.
In charting his popping out journey, EJ has shared that having a well-known father has had some unfavourable implications on his courting life. He clarified some potential suitors simply need to be near his dad.
He defined: “These males both simply need to be there for one factor after which don’t need to keep for the actual relationship half, or they only need to journey the wave and be bougie and exit and have their image taken and do all of that.”
EJ’s father additionally did wonders for de-stigmatising HIV as a ‘homosexual virus’ when, in 1991, he revealed he was dwelling with an HIV-positive standing.
Magic Johnson has now turn out to be a spokesperson for dwelling healthily with the virus. Within the years since his basketball retirement, he has turn out to be an advocate for HIV and AIDS prevention charities and organisations.