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Tim Hardaway, who made headlines when he gave his now infamous “I hate gay people” speech last winter, may be turning over a new leaf. He has become an active part of a children’s advocacy group, which caters to the gay community.

Hardaway, who spent most of his time with the Heat during his professional career, retired in 2003, but was thrust back into the spotlight after his homophobic rant on the Dan Le Batard radio program in February. Le Batard talked about retired NBA center John Amaechi, who had recently come out of the closet, and Hardaway candidly bashed his decision.

Some Excerpts from the radio interview:

“First of all, I wouldn’t want him on my team. Second of all, if he was on my team, I would really distance myself from him because I don’t think that’s right and I don’t think he should be in the locker room when we’re in the locker room… I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don’t like it.”

The controversy persisted after Hardaway’s half-hearted apology later that day.

Six months later, Hardaway learned of the YES Institute in south Florida—which “seeks to prevent teen suicides while boosting the self-esteem of children and keeping them free of violence and discrimination.” The focus is mostly on gay and lesbian youth and Hardaway took it upon himself to visit the organization.

“I just wanted to go in and get educated, that’s all. Get educated on what I said and why I said those things,’ Hardaway told the Associated Press. “I’m working on understanding it now. I’m not really trying to make amends. I’ve been there trying to get help.”

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