Zena
Many British athletes in the spotlight avoid disclosing their personal lives to the public but could make a real difference if they did. Not just for the young athletes but to the parents/grandparents/family/friends etc of a young athlete.
Connor Rose
I try to be more visible about it now than I was then, because I want to encourage a cultural climate where other young trans people can feel enthusiastic about their decisions rather than ashamed or afraid.
A TALK WITH FILMMAKER MICHIEL THOMAS
Michiel Thomas is a Belgian director who lives in Los Angeles. In 2015 he made the documentary ‘Game Face’ in which he followed one gay and one transgender athlete for a few months. Game face has won many awards on film festivals and is to be seen on netflix in more than 190 countries. OFTW interviewed Michiel about his experiences and future plans!
SPORTS WORLD, WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE CLOSET?
When we started this project, we received various reactions. Many people were encouraging the project right away and agreed that it was about time for LGBTQI-athletes to gain more visibility. Others wondered whether this was really necessary. “Does it really matter whether an athlete is gay or trans?” they said. We understand this reaction, but we don’t fully agree. Allow us to explain why a project as Out For The Win is really necessary in current society.
Craig
I hope more step out, in more sports. When I was a young athlete, I was so scared. I wished I had someone tell me everything will be ok, that you will learn to be comfortable in your own skin and that you will find friends who love you for you.
Sielke
I doubted for a very long time and was in complete denial. Once I knew, I also found it very difficult to tell my team.
Elliot
If you are good at what you do and put in the effort, that is all that matters. People recognize hard work.
Kate
Who you are or who you love doesn’t change the way you play the game.
Lieve
As a coach, you often touch your gymnasts to help to execute their exercises. So when I asked if they didn’t think it was weird that I touched them, they told me they had never even thought about this.
Laura
I’ve always played with older girls, so I always had examples. I’ve always perceived lesbian girls as something normal.