Magic Johnson has taken some heat online for wishing his son Earvin Johnson III, known as “EJ,” a happy birthday.
EJ, who turned 32 on Tuesday, is one of Magic’s three children with his wife, Cookie, but is the most popular due to his social media presence and reality TV career. He has been openly gay for several years.
“I can be [masculine], I can be [feminine],” he said back in 2017 while explaining he was considering transitioning but changed his mind. “I can do whatever I want with it and work with it,” he said. “If I want to [dress in drag], then I’ll do that. But I don’t want to do that all the time.”
Magic, a five-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and a Hall of Famer, has been very supportive of his son and urged him to keep living his truth on his 31st birthday last June.
The basketball icon took to social media to wish EJ a happy 32nd birthday this Tuesday.
“Happy Birthday to my son, EJ!” he wrote. “EJ is amazing and intelligent and has helped so many other people live life as their authentic selves, comfortable in their own skin.
“Never forget I will always be here to support, guide, and love you because I’m your biggest fan!”
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The post drew plenty of negative reactions.
“You failed as a parent,” one fan declared.
“Turn off the replies Magic for your own sake,” another advised.
“So he’s not a she?” a user asked. “His pronouns stayed the same & he just wanna dress like that? Do you happy birthday, still doesn’t change the fact he’s 6’9 and should’ve been on the Lakers.”
You can see some more reactions below:
Magic Johnson Has Also Received Plenty Of Support
While Magic Johnson’s post attracted rife criticism, several users showed him support and joined him in wishing his son a happy birthday.
You can see some of the positive reactions below:
Meanwhile, Johnson made a generous $50,000 donation to Arizona State University this week and delivered a speech in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
