Racing legend Hurley Haywood is opening up about his sexuality in his forthcoming autobiography, Hurley! From The Beginning.
The 69-year-old, five-time Rolex 24 at Daytona champion has been the subject of gay rumors for years and years, but he’s managed to keep his personal life private for decades. Until now.
In the book, Haywood recalls an interview he gave to a high school reporter a few years back that helped him realize the power he had to change lives.
The young reporter started out by asking Haywood about his racing career, but things quickly became a more personal encounter when the teen revealed that he’d been bullied his whole life because he was gay. Not only that, but he was having suicidal thoughts.
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Speaking to Autoweek, Hawyood recalls, “I said, ’Listen, it’s not what you are, it’s who you are. That’s what people remember.'”
“Hearing from that mother—well, it was very emotional,” Haywood said. “And I thought, if my voice is strong enough to help one kid, it might help two kids, or five or a hundred.”
In the book, Haywood also explains that even though he’s only now coming out publicly, his sexuality was never a secret within the pro racing circuit, nor did it ever had a negative impact on his career.
“The racing community has been extremely supportive,” he writes. “I’ve never not gotten a ride because I was gay.”
Hurley! From The Beginning will be released on March 10, with a documentary about Haywood’s life slated to premiere in June.
ivanw222
# We are everywhere.
JaredMacBride
He used to have a thing for young guys in Tweed jackets.
PinkoOfTheGange
In the 70’s that describes pretty much every guy around auto racing. Well except NASCAR.
PinkoOfTheGange
Where did the “and 80’s” go?
alphacentauri
So why didn’t he actually come out decades earlier? There are not any excuses. George “drama queen” Takei is just as bad with how for decades he stayed deeply closeted.
Zombiez8mybrain
Actually, there’s one very big (and valid) excuse: He chose not to. I support his decision; it’s a very personal one, and everyone should be afforded the opportunity to come out if, when, and how they feel comfortable doing so.
JaredMacBride
He didn’t come out because he wasn’t in the closet to begin with. Everyone in his business and social circles knew and he made not effort to hide his sexual orientation from anyone.
Brody
Not all of us are rainbow-flag-wavers intent on publicity.
Some of us just want to live a quiet, simple life.
RexRed
While some LGBT people are selfishly, living the “quite, simple life” others are being beat down in parks and bullied to the point of suicide. Having the support of their community by merely waving a rainbow flag might have given them some solace in this often inhospitable world. It is not about publicity; it is about solidarity, coming together and caring for our own…
muscl954
I hate it when we slam our own for not coming out when WE think they should. Everyone has to feel the time is right before they can feel comfortable with coming out. To criticize them for remaining private is misdirected anger. Be angry at society for making people feel the need to hide their true selves. Everyone comes out in their own time. We should be happy for our gay brothers and sisters regardless of when they choose to make it public.
Donston
I mean it is slightly upsetting that so many famous people “come out” when they feel it is absolutely most convenient for them (especially in sports). It doesn’t do much but let the monkey off their own back. But whatever. I been stop caring about who’s whatever and who’s closeted. Though I can’t pretend to know who this dude is, and racing is the furthest of sports from my radar, good for him.
Brody
You obviously didn’t get the Queerty memo that a gay man failing to publicly declare his sexuality is tantamount to attacking all gays.
Donston
Actually, that’s not a Queerty memo at all. In fact, this site mostly protects the closet. So, you’re reaching right there “Brody”.
It is mildly disappointing that with the uptick in violence, anomosity, disapproval, self-loatching and internalized homophobia very few who have something at stake have chosen to be “brave”. But everyone has their own struggles and their own reasons. So, I mostly don’t resent.
Kieran
@muscl954 I would Up vote your comment if queerty had that feature.
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
It’s possible to have a healthy total ignorance of both RuPaul’s Drag Race and NASCAR (see also Monster Trucks etc etc) That said, good luck to this guy.
jcoberkrom
Sorry, while I’m glad for him that he came out. He’s not brave in the least. As most of us know who have been out for decades yes coming out is scary but freeing.
My guess this guy just wanted a little more attention before he fades for ever.
Coming out to friends and family while an adolescent is often brave. Doing it publicly is just a sad grab for attention!
Kangol
I’m glad he’s out and I’m especially heartened to hear that he helped a young gay person walk back from the brink of despair and death.
It also proves yet again that gay, bi and trans representation and affirmation really do save people’s lives, especially vulnerable young people who, like all LGBTQ, suffer from the effects of homophobia. It’s one reason homophobes want to drive us into the closet and silence us.
Not everyone is ready to come out or be out, but high profile people being out can be salutary in ways they may not even imagine.
cvdixon29
Good for him! Glad we are in a changing world where we can be who we are and have some acceptance!