An Ambition as High as the Hoop
«Recognized as one of the most admired and experienced basketball players in the Argentine league, Sebastián Vega, forward for Boca Juniors, has built an impressive career playing for both national and international clubs. In 2020, he became the first Argentine basketball player to publicly come out as gay, making him a passionate advocate for equality and visibility of sexual diversity in sports. For Sport Friendly, Sebastián shares with us his journey, challenges, and aspirations..»
In an interview with the renowned Argentine media outlet Infobae, you mentioned a significant family moment related to your coming out. Do you think our parents’ and grandparents’ generation, with their prejudices and traditional view of masculinity, are truly closed to change? Or do you believe there’s a chance to raise awareness and shift their perspectives?
For me, the key word is "evolve." Life is about constant change, and my coming out was a complicated journey, especially with my dad, who had a very rigid view of sexuality. We argued a lot because he struggled to accept that his only son could be gay. When I told him about my sexuality and introduced him to my partner, his journey toward acceptance had just begun. He cried, fainted, and even questioned my place in basketball because he feared how the sports world would react. But over the years, thanks to dialogue, patience, and my openness, he evolved. I explained to him that his support was important to me, even if my happiness didn’t depend on his acceptance. In the end, he chose to support me, even when I came out publicly on Instagram.
How do you feel about the idea of teaching your dad something, reversing the usual roles where the father teaches the son?
Talking about my dad gets me emotional… [He pauses.] Because we learned together, and that’s what makes our relationship so strong today. I used to think older people couldn’t change, but at 70 years old, my dad proved me wrong. There’s one moment I’ll never forget. Before I made my sexual orientation public, my dad was at a horse race, a pretty macho environment. A man, clearly drunk, approached him and said, “At the club, they’re saying your son is a fag”. -My dad calmly and proudly responded, “My son isn’t a fag. He’s gay, and I’m very proud of him”. When he told me about this, I teared up. That day, I knew he truly understood and had grown. Moments like these teach us both and can inspire others too. My dad’s pride in sharing his truth might have even made that man think twice — maybe even change. I believe sharing our stories helps others evolve little by little.
" We’re a pivotal generation."
In 2022, during a game in Santiago del Estero (Argentina), insults like “dirty faggot” were shouted from the stands. In your opinion, when it comes to fighting violence in sports, should we focus more on education or confrontation?
That’s a tough question. In that specific case, the response was quick and appropriate: the referee reported the incident to the officials, security was notified, and the game didn’t resume until the individual was removed. The message was clear — that behavior is no longer tolerated. We’ve seen similar actions, like during a Boca Juniors match where offensive chants led to the game being stopped. These examples show that clubs need to focus more on education and raising awareness instead of normalizing these attitudes as “folklore”. Insults, even when disguised as “tactics” to distract, no longer have a place. Educating, raising awareness, and taking firm action are the keys to real change. That’s where players also play a crucial role: calling out discrimination and never letting hate speech slide!
In the locker room, did you feel pressure before and after coming out to your teammates?
I remember one specific moment: I was about 25, still questioning my sexuality. On a bus ride, a debate started about how to “spot” if someone is gay. One teammate said if he had a gay colleague, he wouldn’t shower with him. Comments like that, at the time, made me feel like I couldn’t be myself. Today, having managed to bring together these two parts of me — the gay man and the basketball player — gives me immense peace of mind. Back then, it felt like I was living two separate lives: Sebastián, who wanted to live his sexuality openly, and Vega, the serious player who had to meet certain expectations. Reconciling those two sides allowed me to find peace within myself.
What would you say today to that teammate who made that comment?
Today, with more confidence, I’d tell him it’s his problem, not mine. I’d explain that I shower just like anyone else, with respect, and if it makes him uncomfortable, that’s for him to deal with. I’ve learned to separate what’s my responsibility from what’s not. Now, I can confidently tell him it’s on him to handle his own prejudices.
Does it bother you to be recognized as the first openly gay basketball player in Argentina and to talk about your sexuality in the media?
Sometimes it can be really exhausting… Being a flagbearer takes a lot of energy, but I think it’s important. By being visible, I know I’m helping people who are still judged for their choices. Today, I have rights, thanks to all those people in the past who paved the way and sometimes sacrificed their lives for us. It wouldn’t feel right to stay silent and not step up, especially if it can help others live a bit better. At one point, I felt like if I didn’t speak up, I’d be complicit in a macho environment I couldn’t stand. When I decided to come out publicly, it was an act of courage, but it was worth it. We have to keep fighting, not just for our rights but also for the rights of the trans community and other minorities. More and more people, even outside the LGBTQI+ community, are realizing how important this fight is, so future generations—like my nephews—can thrive freely, without limits, in sports.
"We must leave no room for hate speech!"
You mentioned past struggles. Do you think it’s important to reflect on what’s been accomplished so far?
I think it’s essential to remember where we came from. It took me a while to understand why pride is so important until I came across an interview that explained how we were "raised in shame". It made me reflect on the shame I felt about who I was. But over time, with the support of friends in the community and a long process of self-acceptance, I was finally able to take pride in who I am. Back then, on TV, the gay character was always a stereotype of someone fragile, making us believe we’d never amount to anything. That’s changed today: I can say I’m gay, I’m a professional athlete, and I’m proud of it. I think it’s still important to make our stories visible. Even though we’ve gained rights, there’s still a long way to go. We’re a pivotal generation—the one that opened the door to talk about all this, to educate, and to prepare the ground so future generations can carry the fight forward and keep making progress.
You’ve played for several teams, both abroad and in Argentina, and now you’re part of Boca Juniors, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. What would you say to 5-year-old Sebastián, just starting to play basketball, knowing everything you’ve accomplished and the journey you’ve had?
I’d tell him to be proud of who he is and trust that time will work things out, even when it feels hard. [Se detiene.] You’ll go through tough times… between accepting your sexuality and your family’s financial struggles, but sports will transform your life. It’ll let you work in a field you love, study, travel, and experience things you could’ve never imagined. And you’ll always have people around you—your partner, friends, family—who’ll give you the push you need when you feel like you can’t move forward anymore. A sports career will sometimes feel lonely, but surrounding yourself with people who believe in you will make all the difference. Everything you’ll go through will be worth it, and those people will always be there to remind you of that. That’s what I’d want to tell him.
Quiz with Sebastián Vega
Which athlete has most inspired your career?
Roger Federer
What style of play do you prefer on the court?
Team-oriented play.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career?
Winning my last championship.
Outside of basketball, what are you passionate about?
Having coffee with friends and learning new things.
