[ad_1]
Professional hockey player Zach Sullivan has made history by coming out as bisexual.
The Manchester Storm defenceman marked the Elite Ice Hockey League’s first Pride weekend by making the announcement on social media, saying he felt “now is the best time to speak about what I have known for many years.”
“I have battled with mental health problems over this issue and with the support, understanding and acceptance of my family, friends and teammates, I finally feel ready to say; I’m bisexual,” he continued. “I have never been more proud to wear a jersey before, especially one that celebrates all gender identities and sexualities.”
The 25 year-old accompanied the statement with a picture of himself and two teammates wearing a rainbow colored Storm jersey.
#PrideWeekend #ICanPlay #YouCanPlay @officialEIHL @Mcr_Storm pic.twitter.com/2FH6AtDZ4f
— Zach Sullivan (@ZachSully11) January 26, 2020
His team showed him support, sharing Sullivan’s Twitter post and calling him “a role model for so many people, young and old” while reflecting that his ability to be himself “is a true testament to everything our club and sport stand for.”
“I wasn’t really sure the reaction I’d get,” Sullivan told the BBC. “It’s a pretty masculine sport, ice hockey, and I think there’s still a little bit of a stigma, but I took the step to do it and the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s really nice to see.”
‘It’s taken me a long time, but I’m now at a position in my life where I am comfortable with who I am.’@Mcr_Storm’s @ZachSully11 talks he decision to come out as bisexual and why he hopes he can be an inspiration to others.
️ pic.twitter.com/k2UbiyJq2T
— BBC RM Sport (@BBCRMsport) January 27, 2020
He described himself as being a private person, and said that he didn’t come out “for publicity,” but rather because he realized he had “a unique opportunity to do some good.”
“If I can be open and honest about my sexuality, then hopefully that will give other hockey players around the country the same confidence to do the same.”
“We couldn’t be happier for our teammate and we 100% have his back,” Manchester Storm’s captain Dallas Ehrhardt told the BBC.
“The hockey world is a tight-knit supportive community and when something as important like this happens, the whole sport gets better.”
Head Coach Ryan Finnerty noted the historic nature of Sullivan coming out, making him the first openly LGBTQ athlete in the league, and said he believes he will inspire “the youth of tomorrow.”
[ad_2]
Source link
