The history of the LGBT+ community is long and storied, and its members have made significant contributions to the world of sports. However, it wasn’t until recently that openly gay athletes were accepted and embraced by mainstream society. In this article, we’ll take a look at the first gay athlete to come out and the history of LGBT+ athletes.
LGBT+ Athletes Before the 20th Century
Long before the 20th century, LGBT+ athletes were present in the world of sports. In fact, the first recorded instance of an openly gay athlete was in the ancient Olympic Games. These athletes were not only accepted by their peers, but were also celebrated for their bravery and courage.
In the 19th century, there were also reports of LGBT+ athletes competing in both professional and amateur sports. This included the likes of tennis player Karl Kraus, who was known for his flamboyant style of play and his public displays of affection with his same-sex partner.
The First Out Gay Athlete of the 20th Century
The first openly gay athlete to come out in the 20th century was American figure skater and Olympic silver medalist John Curry. Curry was a beloved figure in the figure skating world and was the first openly gay athlete to come out publicly in the modern era. He came out in 1976 and received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community, including his fellow athletes and members of the LGBT+ community.
The Impact of John Curry’s Coming Out
John Curry’s coming out had an immense impact on the LGBT+ community and the world of sports. His courage and bravery in coming out as a gay athlete gave inspiration to countless other LGBT+ athletes and served as a powerful symbol of hope.
It also made it clear that being an openly gay athlete was not only possible, but also could be successful. Curry’s coming out helped to pave the way for the acceptance of openly LGBT+ athletes in mainstream society and the world of sports.
LGBT+ Athletes Since John Curry
Since John Curry’s coming out, there have been numerous other LGBT+ athletes who have come out publicly. This includes the likes of professional soccer player Robbie Rogers, who came out in 2013, and Olympic diver Tom Daley, who came out in 2016.
These athletes have had an immense impact on the LGBT+ community and the world of sports. They have served as role models and have helped to create a more inclusive and accepting environment for LGBT+ athletes.
Conclusion
The history of LGBT+ athletes is long and storied. The first openly gay athlete to come out in the 20th century was John Curry, who made a powerful statement with his coming out in 1976. His courage and bravery paved the way for other LGBT+ athletes to come out publicly and to be accepted by mainstream society. Since then, there have been numerous other LGBT+ athletes who have come out publicly, and their impact on the LGBT+ community and the world of sports has been immense.