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CrossFit Optimistic celebrates Pride Month! Coach Forrest talks with Abby aka “Horse Whisperer” and India aka “Tickle” about what pride means to them, their coming out stories, and advice they’d give to their younger selves.
What does it mean to celebrate pride?
Pride is to celebrate who you are as an LGBTQ person and being open about sharing your story. India & Abby talk about how supported they were when they came out, but it’s still not that way for so many people. They share how important it is to be sounding board for those that need someone to talk to.
“When I post about coming out or the support I have, I share it because I know there are people who don’t have the support I have and I want them to know that it’s going to be okay, and that I’m here if they want to talk. I want to bring light and positivity. Just being there for someone who might need it.” – India
Sharing their “Coming Out” Stories
India talks about coming out to her family Christmas Eve when she was 19. She was surprised that they had already guessed she was gay and they were just waiting for her to tell them. She said it was like a big weight was off her chest – “We have no secrets. It’s funny looking back, that the ‘right moment’ [to come out] was when we were watching a Lance Armstrong documentary.”
Abby came out at 14 by sending a text to her mom. “I was lucky enough to know I wouldn’t be kicked out or rejected. And mom responded ‘I don’t care’.” Abby decided to wait to tell her dad, and he ended up just asking her and her “friend” – “You’re together right?”
Hanging a Pride Flag at CFO
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“I remember I still wasn’t super comfortable with the idea of being ‘Woo rainbows, let’s go!!’ So Dad and I had this discussion at the dinner table and what pushed my fears aside was that he said ‘We have flags for A&M, for UT, for every branch of the military cause that’s a part of who we are as a community and as a family.’ And once he said that, I agreed that we should totally put a Pride flag up cause that’s who we are too.” – India Martinez
Abby said that before the flag went up, she didn’t know yet that India was gay. She felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders learning she’s not the only one! She felt supported knowing the gym was a safe space.
Advice for Young Queer Kids
- There’s no one right way to be gay. You can dress how you like, wear your hair your favorite way, and watch whatever you want to watch!
- Before you come out, accept and love yourself first. You don’t have to come out to everybody all at once, take it one step at a time and know you’re not alone.
- Surround yourself with people that love you. Make sure you’re in a safe space before you come out and tell the world. It’s great to be yourself and live the life you want to live.