Earvin Johnson III: Magic Johnson Gay Son E.J. Comes Out, PDA With Another Man (WATCH VIDEO)
Earvin Johnson III, the son of famed NBA legend Magic Johnson, went public with his relationship with another man on Monday.
Johnson III, 20, who is known as "EJ" was spotted holding hands with an unidentified man on the Sunset Strip wearing a fur coat, fitted pants and carrying a large red purse. The New York University student briefly spoke to TMZ about his father's recent business deal.
When "EJ" was asked about his father's stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, he said he was "hoping and praying" for success for his new business deal. He said he is also a huge fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA team his father played for.
EJ tweeted about the deal a year ago, writing, "I kno I haven't tweeted in awhile so I wanted to take this time to congratulate my daddy on buying the dodgers Luv u @MagicJohnson."
EJ's parents expressed their love for their middle son as well. The NBA legend told TMZ that him and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly, "love EJ and support him in every way" and that they are "very proud of him."
Magic became a huge supporter for marriage equality after he announced he was HIV-positive in 1991 and reports questioned his sexuality. He has since used his celebrity to spread AIDS awareness.
In 2009, Magic released the book When the Game Was Ours, which he co-wrote with fellow NBA legend Larry Bird and author Jackie MacMullan. Johnson blamed his former friend, NBA icon Isiah Thomas for spreading the gay rumors about him.
In the book, Magic said Thomas' rumor mill led to his subsequent retirement in the NBA at the age of 32.
"Isiah kept questioning people about it,'' Magic wrote. "I couldn't believe that. The one guy I thought I could count on had all these doubts. It was like he kicked me in the stomach."
Magic's longtime agent, Lon Rosen, was his source. Rosen said Thomas told him in 1991, "I keep hearing Magic is gay.''
"C'mon, Isiah, you know Earvin better than anyone,'' Rosen said he told Thomas at the time.
"I know,'' Thomas reportedly replied to Rosen, "but I don't know what he's doing when he's out there in L.A."
Thomas repeatedly denied the accusation of spreading the gay rumors in an interview on SportsIllustrated.com.
Magic recently spoke out on his stance against California's Proposition 8- the clause that bans same-sex marriage. Hearings for the ruling of "Prop 8" began in the Supreme Court on March 26.
"Prop 8 singles out one group of Californians to be treated differently -- including members of our family, our friends, and our coworkers," Magic said in a recorded telephone message according toHuffington Post. "That is not what California is about. So this Tuesday, vote no on Proposition 8. It is unfair and wrong. Thanks."
Watch the video of Earvin III "EJ" Johnson with his boyfriend in the video.