Joe Valentine

Patrick Letellier

When Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Joe Valentine (currently playing with a Reds minor-league team, the Louisville Bats) revealed to a reporter in April that he was raised by two lesbians, it was a first for U.S. pro team sports. But it didn't create much of a stir. That could have been due in part to Valentine's cheerful, easygoing approach to his life with parents Deb Valentine and Doreen Price

What made you decide to talk to the press about your family?

It really wasn't a conscious decision. I had been talking to [Newsday reporter] Jeff Pearlman, and he said, "Can I talk to your parents?" I said, "Sure." He said, "What are their names?" I said, "Dub and Doreen." He said, "What do you mean?" I said, "I have two moms." He said, "That's kind of cool." And I said, "Yeah, it is."

What has the reaction been?

There hasn't been as big a reaction as I thought there would be. I've gotten e-mails from kids with gay parents and gay parents that are raising kids, thanking me for coming out and for saying you can be who you want to be; it doesn't matter who raised you. I didn't realize that what I did would have an emotional impact and [that] I might be helping people. When I got these e-mails it hit me. It's been an emotional thing. I shed some tears. I'm not anybody big and famous, but if I can have an impact on people in my situation, I'm glad to do that.

What have your teammates been saying?

Nothing! [Laughs] I think it would have been different if I was a gay player, but it's about my parents so it's one step removed. And that one step is a giant step from being a gay player.

How has this been for your morns?

They shied away from the publicity a hit. They just want to live their lives and not draw attention. But they're proud of me for how proud I am of them.

Some people argue that the children of gay parents are disadvantaged because they don't have a mother and a father.

I didn't grow up disadvantaged at all. I was raised right. We had our hard times, but we got through them. The advantage is that I had the moms that I have. I got constant attention from them. They taught me a lot about self-confidence. And I had father figures, especially my two grandfathers. They both played ball with me. My biological mother's father played professional baseball; he was a catcher in the minor leagues. My other mother played competitive softball. I got the drive to pitch and my competitive edge from her. When I go home and I walk in the door, it's like I'm 6 years old again with all the hugs and kisses and pinches on the cheek I get. Sometimes I'm like "Oh, my God, will you stop!" But it's great. Those are my moms.

Do you know any gay baseball players?

Not to my knowledge. I'm sure they're there--they just haven't come out.

Why do you think that is?

I think it's due to the fact that you're always surrounded by 25 guys, and a lot of them are from different parts of the country and were raised with different outlooks.

What words of advice do you have for the children of gay parents?

You're no different than anybody else--that's the most important thing. [And] gay people are some of the most loving and accepting people I've ever known. If you've got same-sex parents, it's special.

What's next for you?

My wife and I want to start a family and have kids. And I want to focus on my pitching and get back into the majors.

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