Gay teen soccer player wishes Robbie Rogers happy birthday, thanks him for saving his life

Michael Martin is a high school soccer player in West Virginia who is openly gay. His story about attending the senior prom with his boyfriend two weeks ago struck a chord with a lot of people.

Michael posted this on Twitter today in honor of the birthday of MLS player Robbie Rogers, himself openly gay:

I want to wish a Happy Birthday to @robbierogers and please take a second to read a note I wrote. ♡ pic.twitter.com/gsmqpRSDYK

— Michael Martin (@martinofcompany) May 12, 2015

If you want to know why it's important for gay athletes to come out, this tells you all you need to know.