Lakers Legend 'Magic' Johnson Reveals Son Is Gay

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson has publicly revealed his son is gay.

Johnson first broke the news to TMZ about his son, Earvin Johnson III — known as "EJ" — who first informed the family of his sexual orientation almost seven years ago.

TMZ published exclusive photos of EJ with an unidentified male and a purse on his arm during a recent night out on the Sunset Strip.

TMZ's Harvey Levin told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO that Johnson is one of the most visible sports celebrities to signal his support for the gay community — even when it comes to his role as owner of the Dodgers.

"He talks about how he wants his team to be tolerant and open and that he will set that standard, and believes that there will probably be a player at some point that comes to him privately before they do anything publicly and talk with him, and he's really welcoming that," Levin said.

Johnson, who is part of an ownership group that also includes Mark Walter and Stan Kasten, told TMZ that both he and his wife Cookie are "very proud" of EJ and "support him in every way."