Esera Tuaolo, a former NFL tackle who came out as gay in 2002, says his mission is to “inspire, motivate, encourage, save, educate, and send out aloha into the world!” He’s executive director of Hate Is Wrong, which in June held Minnesota’s first statewide gay-straight alliance prom, attracting 200 young people, some from nearby states.
“Equality came with a price, so those who came before us need to be remembered and celebrated,” says Tuaolo, who got hate mail but even more love when he came out. “As we move forward into the unknown future, know that we have the power to create a better world for all communities, not just ours.”
His other work includes music and food. A former contestant on The Voice, he has released a new single, “Room for Love,” written by his friend (and former professional baseball player) Bryan Ruby, and he’s opening 98 Hawaiian Grill in St. Joseph, Minnesota. He’s a veteran chef who’s had gigs in Provincetown and at the Taste of the NFL Super Bowl party. He has raised $600,000 for charity by donating dinners. @mraloha98
