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Latest > Melissa Reid comes out as gay
Jan 23rd, 2019
Melissa Reid comes out as gay
Solheim Cup Star Sensation
It's not often that a famous sports star comes out as gay. Let's be honest, there are bound to be reservations: Will people understand? Will I lose sponsors? In a frank interview with Athlete Ally, Solheim Cup star Melissa Reid addressed all these concerns and, quite rightly, confidently decided to make her situation public.
“I've just reached a point in my life where I feel like my true, authentic self,” said Mel. "If my story helps one person, then I feel like it's a good cause."
Mel has now joined the Athlete Ally website as a “Pro Ambassador fighting for equality and inclusion in sport”.
Melissa Reid in exclusive GolfPunk shoot
The 31-year-old from Derby said: “I protected my sexuality for a long time because I thought I had to in order to help my career and to get more sponsors. But then I started to wonder why these companies would want to sponsor me and have me represent them if I can’t be my authentic self.
"There is only one of you in the world and you have one life, so be the best version of yourself and be proud of who you are. That’s when you attract the right people around you to make you better, and ultimately, happier.
"Honestly, I've always fought for equality and I'm now at a point where I want brands to represent me for me. Ultimately I feel like I'm on a platform where I can have some sort of an influence.
"It's just important to say to people that this is who I am. Hopefully it will help a couple of young girls or guys.
"Looking back on it, I knew from quite a young age, but then never thought about it during my teenage years. It then crept up on me again when I started playing on Tour, meeting new people and traveling the world.
"I fell in love with a girl and I was excited about it, so I told my sister who was completely cool about it, and then my brother. My parents are older than most, but they couldn’t have been better about everything.
"They just assured me that as long as I love a good person, it doesn’t matter what race, gender or background they come from. I was very lucky my entire family is very liberal and embraced it totally.”
Good for you, Mel.
And another thing!
