J.P. Calderon was closeted, despite accurate rumors that
he was gay, during his run on CBS-TV’s Survivor: Cook
Islands. Now Calderon, 32, of Southern California, will
be honored Oct. 12, at Runway ALMA in Chicago at the annual
benefit for the Association of Latino Men for Action.
“It’s like a
double reward – for my Hispanic heritage and for being gay,”
said Calderon, of Costa Rican descent who, in the
late-1990s, was a standout volleyball player for Long Beach
State University and then spent two years (2004-'05) on the
AVP circuit.
“I’m so excited; I’m honored. Are you kidding me? To be
recognized, and celebrated, by people of your same heritage
is great, an honor. It feels awesome. Growing up, I
struggled (with my ethnicity) and now it’s really nice to be
recognized for being Hispanic, because I am very proud of
who I am.
“It’s nice to be recognized for being gay because, well, it
kind of gives me closure. I’m getting an award for something
that, for so long, I was so scared to be. Now people are
commending me for it. I guess, in some ways, I’ve helped
others.”
This summer, Calderon coached two youth teams for the Mizuno
Long Beach Volleyball Club. “I’m starting to get the itch
again to go play, so I’m going to shoot for next summer
again on the beach,” he said.
Calderon confirmed he no longer is single. “I’m dating
someone, yes, but I cannot reveal his name,” he said.
Anyone we would have heard of?
“Possibly, yeah. He’s not an actor; he’s an athlete. But
he’s not out,” Calderon said.
