BRUNSWICK – Billy Bean, the only living former Major League baseball player to acknowledge his homosexuality, will deliver a public lecture about diversity today at 7:30 p.m. at Bowdoin College

Bean’s talk is based on his book, “Going the Other Way: Lessons from a Life In and Out of Major League Baseball.” Admission is free, and no tickets are required. A reception will follow the talk.

Born in Santa Ana, Calif., in 1964, Bean was selected “athlete of the year” and valedictorian of his graduating class at Santa Ana High School. He went on to become a two-time “All American” outfielder at Loyola Marymount University and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1986.

He played major league baseball from 1987 to 1995 with the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

After years of living secretly, Bean came out publicly in 1999. His story was front-page news in The New York Times, and, subsequently, on a nationally televised story with Diane Sawyer.

“I believe that all people, regardless of their personal belief or religious denomination, would agree that being honest with yourself, your family and those around you, is a great foundation for living your life,” he said in a prepared statement. “It has been a long, hard journey for me, and I want people to learn from my mistakes, not share them.”

The lecture will be in the main lounge in Moulton Union. For more information, call 725-3552.