A 19-year old Canadian-American diver from British Colombia has decided to share his coming out story.
Related: After years after dodging gay rumors, Olympic medalist Colin Jackson finally comes out
Last October, Aidan Faminoff came out for National Coming Out Day, and now he’s vividly described his reasons for doing so, explaining that he knew he was gay since sixth grade, but never “felt comfortable enough” to admit it to anyone:
“I was confused as to why I was attracted to men,” he tells Outsports.
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“Throughout middle school and high school, I would keep this to myself. I created a fake persona so I could blend in with the guys.”
But he “wanted to scream” whenever his friends would talk about “cute girls,” because he couldn’t be honest.
Nevertheless, he found comfort in diving:
“I was escaping being with the ‘guys,’ but also I was still hiding my true self. Diving was a way to get my mind off of all the emotions and feelings of not expressing who I really was.”
It was seeing a bisexual female friend in a same-sex relationship that ultimately gave him the courage to come out.
“I saw one of my closest female friends be loving and happy with her girlfriend. I wanted to feel this way, comfortable in my own skin. She was an inspiration to me and made me feel confident.
She was openly bisexual, which helped me gain the courage to come to terms with my own sexual orientation. I remember sitting in my car in a parking lot with her, telling her everything.”
This stunned Faminoff — because she insisted she always knew he was gay.
When she said this, he burst into tears because he felt “he had been accepted” for the first time.
Two years later, he shared of picture of himself and came out on October 11, 2016 — not coincidentally, National Coming Out Day.
Finally he felt ”free and open”.
“This is your life,” he says, “so own it and live how you want.”
Read his coming out story here.
Josh447
What a sweet beauty. So glad he found himself.
Ari Gold
Yet another young twink who felt the need to “come out” as if you can’t already tell he’s gay.
Kai
Hey Ari… why so mean? So what, he’s happy.
Michael
No worries Kai, it’s just another bitter troll. They tend to forget that when someone that the media watches and announce something like this, it inspires teens and adults to be who they are.
Navalator
Another immature brain dead bitch speaks out.
jjose712
Nobady makes you read it. Of course you need to do it just to bitch about it . Pathetic
AllanSum
Yeah, right. Only NOT the bleeding obvious need to “come out”. I’m sure I read that in the “So It Turns Out You’re Gay” Manual that comes with every gay person. Somewhere towards the back. Duh.
Clay83
We’ve really got to pity Ari his masculinity is so fragile that he cant accept anyone different to him. Go and make some actual friends so you dont need to post worthless comments so people will actually interact with you
dfwenigma
Breath of fresh air. At any age it’s tough to come out – but those who are in professions where acceptance is difficult and those who are older both face difficulty. Coming out isn’t about whether one appears or does not appear to be gay – since ‘gayness’ is an internal reality. Instead it’s about being true to onesself. Coming out only happens when we come in, acknowledge who we are, and then feel free enough to let others in. It’s pretty much that simple. But also very complex for those who wrestle with demons inside. How sad that people have to attack people. We don’t know what this individual faced – and celebrating the ability to be who we are is what we should all be about. Bitterness is a table for one.
cancorv
May I ask, dfwenigma, what you mean by “in professions where acceptance is difficult “? Is this a thing in the US of A? (genuine question, not challenging nor narky, just wondering) … thanks
imaqt2
To The gentleman above me. Bravo for such a perfect response to that Debbie Downer. That’s the attitude we try to defeat from others and here is some douche is exactly that guy. Despicable.
imaqt2
Being* not “is”
fridaynightlights
Move over Tom, a new diver is in town.
Stache
Ha. Was thinking of the same thing. Tom has a sell by shelf life and Dustin’s probably already salivating over this new arrival.
cancorv
And let us not forget Matthew Mitcham. Gay Aussie diver, winner of gold medal at Beijing Olympics, I believe.
jjose712
Tom is really an anomaly on a minority sport. No matter how good you are on that kind of sports you don’t get the level of recognition and fame Tom has.
Probably because he was a child star on a country without previous stars on diving, maybe because they watched him grow, or because of his charisma, but his popularity goes well beyond the popularity of the sport that make him a star
Bopper1
…instead of “move over,” might I suggest “line up?”…
Arbash
How come most of the diivers are gay and so f*cking hot?
CanadianGuy62
It is British Columbia (note the “u”) not British Colombia.
Philamike
Spelling/editing: not a priority on this site.
frankcar1965
Snitty old fag, who really give a shit?
Arbash
And yes, he would be match better match for Tom than that Dustin.
Bradsman
That’s pretty shallow. There’s more to a relationship than appearance and surface. How personalities react to each other is what’s important, not looks or being the same age.
crowebobby
Tragic you weren’t sharing any of that in high school.
Bradsman
He is going to be very popular with the gays.
twohanded
I never came out to my parents, but I always encourage any young guy who is troubled to honour their parents and tell them. I wish him everything for the future.
Jaxton
I wouldn’t be surprised if Aidan is bisexual. A lot of men are forced into the false-gay identity by the hostility of women, including so-called busexual women.
Women are very hostile to male bisexuality.
Aidan deserves to be happy regardless but please stay away from gay guys who simply want to objectify you instead of treat you as a human being. Gay guys can be toxic, Adam.
Goforit
Wow Jaxton! Your misogyny and homophobia are becoming more pronounced and bizarre. Please ask your doctor for some better drugs. The drugs that you are on now are not working. P.S. What are “busexual women?”
startenout
So him saying he knew in 6th grade and only pretended to be interested in girls to try and fit in with the guys means nothing to you. Clearly, you know this stranger better than he knows himself, so your ridiculous point MUST be valid.
I mean you have proven your point. “Gay guys can be toxic.” At least, YOU can be. SMH
Kieran
19 and FREE to be yourself. Have a great life Aidan.
avesraggiana
Are ALL divers gaaaaayyyyy?!?!?!?!
JPDonahue
Queerty may wish to think about moderating Comments.
Some of the comments above are basically Hate Speech.
Notright
Hmm this one looks like he might actually be LGBTQ good on him! Proud of him!