Peter Caruth said in a recent Instagram post that he was relegated for the first time in his career this season, but it was still one of the “best seasons so far” for one simple reason: He came out as gay to loved ones in his life.
And on Instagram, Caruth proclaimed his gayness for the whole world to read, becoming the first international hockey player to come out as gay and just the second Irish male Olympian to do so, according to the Irish Examiner.
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“I’ve known that I’m gay since my early teens, and I feel now is the right time to tell everyone … and say it really is the best thing I’ve done in my life because now I can stop hiding who I really am,” Caruth wrote in his post. “I wrote down on paper and said in my head that I’m gay, but to actually say it out loud was the hardest thing I have ever done.”
Related: 5 gay pro athletes who broke ground by coming out while still playing
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Caruth, who has represented Ireland on the field 142 times, explained that that moment came when he came out to his best friend. “All it took was the right question at the right time,” he told Instagram followers.
Since coming out, Caruth has had “extremely positive” responses, including those from other athletes who have told him that they’re gay too. “These moments are spine tingling and rewarding,” he added.
Related: Closeted Olympic athletes on Grindr can breathe a sigh of relief
He also said he has gotten “emotionally rewarding” acceptance from people young and old. “I encourage you, whatever age you are, to accept yourself for who you are,” he wrote. “We are all different, but we are all human.”
sfhairy
Field Hockey? Queerty, are we scraping the bottom of the sports barrel now?
Brian
He’s an Olympian. That’s big. And only the second Irish Olympian ever to come out. That’s also big, considering the country’s culture of Catholicism. No need to be snide.
John
I’ve never heard of field hockey. I didn’t know hockey was a thing without ice.
Michael1500
@sfhairy: Are you for real? You’re like one of those extremely rude soap opera stars—- no one can believe you’re for real, that anybody could be so unbelievably BITCHY. What an insufferable asshole you are.
CatholicXXX
Field hockey IS a thing. It’s like ice hockey but with fewer hunks, less action, and more teeth.
Congrats to him.
MISTERJETT
@sfhairy and john: how old are you? six???
Vellala
Field hockey, after cricket is the most popular team sport in my part of the world. A hockey player is at the peak, when he/she has the honour to wear the national team shirt at the Olympics.
Jim
Unless he’s willing to date me I really don’t care
Mr-DJ
People that ‘don’t care’ would see the title and keep scrolling. But no, you stopped and read it (mission accomplished by Queerty) and then took the time to sign in and write a comment. Do you think ALL articles published should meet only your interests?
Huron132
Damn! Bitchy seems to be the action of the day. You need to learn to take the tampon out of the applicator before you leave the bathroom.
I for one am very impressed that this man has come out and gave others a voice. We don’t know the hardship it was for him to be the best of himself in public. Congrats and many good graces to your future!
abfab
LOL Love that, Huron!
claudio sgaravizzi
BRAVO! Well said! the previous bitchy comments probably come from the same LOSERS who don’t like short guys. If it weren’t for the courageous people that go public with their personal life and fight and inspire, like Peter Caruth, the mentioned LOSERS wouldn’t even dream to enjoy their own stupidity.
JRamonMc
Congratulations Peter and all the love and support from your brothers and sisters from around the world. Live your best life!
MISTERJETT
WELCOME, MR CARUTH!!! GET COMFORTABLE. YOU’LL LOVE IT OUT HERE, JUST BE CAREFUL. THERE ARE A LOT OF BITCHY QUEENS OUT HERE THAT WILL TRY TO TEAR YOU DOWN AS EVIDENCED BY A FEW COMMENTS ABOVE.
SUPREME
well said , Misterjett
Rikki Roze
Where do all these bitchy queens who make these tacky and ignorant comments come from? Don’t they have anything better to do with their time?
PollyDarton
Am I the only person that has NO IDEA who this person is?
Kangol2
Well, if you read the article you will. Did you do that? If you’re still clueless there’s not much more to say.
Kangol2
Congrats to Peter Caruth. If anyone thinks field hockey isn’t a tough sport, just watch the men’s teams in the Olympics. It requires athleticism, speed, precision, and strategy. Also, when players whack that ball it’s like a hockey puck or cannonball! This is true of women’s field hockey as well.
Vellala
Great. Congratulations!