Coming Out Stories

Knute O’Donnell discovered a simple message in his coming out journey: Love yourself. It’s what spurred him to do a Pride video.

McCarthy said his teammates have rallied around him since coming out to them in January.

After widespread support from the soccer community, John Dorn wonders, ‘Why did it take me so long?’

Ethan Crawford was nervous about coming out as gay, but ‘all of the guys on my swim team were accepting and supportive, which was shocking.’

Karleigh Webb looks back on claiming her name and finding her voice, and how others have done the same in sports.

Daniels says he has gotten huge support from his club and teammates.

‘I’ve found myself attracted to men and wanna live that truth,’ Saint said in a ‘coming out post’ on Twitter.

Brandon Adkins used to hide his sexuality but now out and proud, he wants to give ‘everyone a chance in a sport that’s historically been tailored to straight, white men.’

Gus Hirschfeld takes the lessons he learned as an athlete at Brown to his new job as a special education teacher.

After feeling repressed in her hometown, Thrun finds the open environment she’d been looking for under out head coach Carol Simon.

Nicole Heavirland has received love and support since coming out. She is already inspiring others in her sport.

For Rachel Hirschkind, helping her team place at cross-country nationals was made sweeter by being out as a queer athlete.

‘Since I have been out, not a single individual has treated me differently since before I was in the closet,’ Brandon Rhode writes. ‘It’s interesting how curious they are about the queer experience.’

Lewis Gibson and ice dancing partner Lilah Fear will represent Team Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics.

The top Canadian player, Gilbert said it’s an important step for his sport.

Parker is revealing her two-year marriage to her wife. She’s seen widespread WNBA acceptance for years.

‘After shedding unhealthy coping habits my closeted self had developed, I fell back in love with snowboarding ... and to the purest form of happiness I know,’ Jack Hessler writes.

Brian Zapp is a D1 baseball player who wants to build awareness in sports. His team says they are proud of him.

‘Gay athletes feel more pressure to work hard and prove we belong in traditionally heteronormative, masculine spaces. I know I did,’ Mike Welch writes.

Ryan Deluca found immediate support this week coming out at Furman University in South Carolina.