Nico Young is a star cross-country and track and field runner who holds the American Junior 5K records in both indoor and outdoor events, and as of this week, he’s also an out-and-proud athlete. We love to see it!
The incoming Northern Arizona University junior took to Instagram on Sunday to share the news, and offered a heartfelt message of support to anyone still struggling to accept themselves.
“Anyone who tells you that being gay is a choice is wrong. I am living proof that it is not a choice, it is something I have always known and been aware of, but have kept silent out of fear of rejection,” he wrote.
Related: Gay baseball player Bryan Ruby describes “hyper-masculine” locker room experience after coming out
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Young said he’s struggled with his sexuality in the past, but he’s “becoming more proud and happy with who I am.”
“I have realized that the only reason I never liked this part of who I am was because of what society has told me, not because of how I actually feel,” he added.
He concluded his post by declaring, “My name is Nico Young and I’m proud to be gay!”
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Congrats on speaking your truth, and we’re happy to have you on the team!
Here’s more from Young’s Instagram:
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Jim
And we care because . . . . .
Silva4Dudes
Logging on, reading article, commenting. I love how people respond “And we care because….”. You trolls are all the same. Cookie cutter….moving on.
Cam
The latest ploy y the right wing trolls is to discourage people from coming out publicly by claiming nobody cares or it shouldn’t be reported.
They prefer a time when people didn’t publicly come out so other closeted people reading about them wouldn’t be encouraged to come out also.
As always, your trolling is sad and weak.
jcool
we care about nico
we don’t care about jim
there’s your answer
Gigi Gee
We care because we’re not heartless ghouls.
We care because this is his truth, and it takes a great deal of strength and courage to stand up and be counted.
Representation matters. Representation saves lives. Snarky and callous comments like yours are not helpful. Be better.
Mr-DJ
So, Jim let me understand your question….
You are asking why we cared enough to take the time to click on, and then read the article, and then the time and effort to log in, and then the time to comment…???
Like you did?
Jon in Canada
And you commented because…
Cam
Congratulations to him!
barryaksarben
Way to go! Love to see stories like this here .
Consider This
Congratulations! Proud indeed!
Brian
I was the only out athlete on my high school’s cross-country team (out of a giant squad of men + women totaling ~180 people at all levels). But years later, a whole bunch of them came out. We’d been a very gay/lesbian team without realizing it. …And it’s almost not a surprise because running is an independent sport. You’re mostly competing against yourself, and doing so on a trail in the woods somewhere. I think the idea attracts people who are closeted/gay, more so than a team sport under spotlights like football or soccer.
Kangol2
Congrats to him! And if you care enough to comment, Jim, that means the story matters to you. Irony alert, irony alert….
johncp56
I,m such your pervy ? uncle I love runners and swimmer’s body builds,