MINNEAPOLIS — Seimone Augustus has always preferred to stay out of the public eye even as her basketball career has taken her to the heights of an Olympic gold medal and a WNBA championship.

With her adopted home state of Minnesota considering a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, the Lynx star is now becoming a vocal proponent of equal rights for gays. After all, she has her own wedding coming up, to longtime girlfriend LaTaya Varner.

“I felt like it was the perfect time for me, being on a platform where I can make a change with my voice and my situation.” “Maybe inspire someone else to come out and be comfortable with themselves. Or maybe someone else’s parents will see my parents saying that it’s OK to be with your child and love your child unconditionally regardless of your sexual preference.”

Pictured: Minnesota Lynx WNBA basketball star and Olympic gold medalist Seimone Augustus talks about her relationship and engagement to LaTaya Varner.