Montgomery County native Bryan Ruby is one of the founders of Proud to Be in Baseball, a nonprofit that provides support to LGBTQ+ athletes, writes Sarah Bloomquist for 6ABC.

Ruby is a professional baseball player and country music songwriter who has spent a good part of his life in the closet. He has played professionally both overseas and in the United States. He lived in a world where, as he said, players do not come out as gay.

“Definitely, as a queer person, growing up in baseball, it’s a tough environment to be in,” he said.

The situation is no different in the world of country music.

At 26, he decided it was time to change.

He came out in a USA Today article and became the only active professional baseball player to be out publicly.

He was prepared for the worst, but he was overwhelmed with kindness and messages of support.

Now, he has started a national nonprofit along with other gay players to support those in baseball who want to live their more authentic lives.

He is also the subject of a new documentary about his baseball journey as a gay man.

Read more about Bryan Ruby in 6ABC.