Two-time U.S. Men’s National Champion Todd Harrity made history by becoming the first male squash professional to come out as openly gay.
Harrity, currently ranked world No. 54 and a member of the US Squash Elite Athlete Program (EAP), made the announcement to his social media followers on April 28.
“I have something that I am finally ready to get off my chest. I am gay, and I’m ready to live my life as an openly gay man,” Harrity wrote in the post.
Harrity’s announcement was met by overwhelming support from the squash community, as well as from other sports stars such as Gus Kenworthy, an Olympic Silver Medalist skier who came out as openly gay in 2015.
Sports equality leader Billie Jean King tweeted: “When you are able to show your authentic self to the world each day, great things happen. Sending support to @toddharrity, the #1 ranked squash player in the U.S., who shared this important message with the world. #EqualityForAll.”
“Todd Harrity has always demonstrated great character as a squash competitor, and as a result represents himself, the sport and US Squash admirably,” said Kevin Klipstein, US Squash president & CEO. ” The organization values integrity and inclusiveness, and Todd embodies these values in having the courage to come out as the first openly gay professional male squash player. We’re very proud of Todd and our role in supporting him as he pursues excellence at the highest levels.”
A year ago in the June 2017 issue of Squash Magazine, the global squash community celebrated Rachael Grinham and Jenny Duncalf, who became the first active squash professionals to come out as gay in public.
View Harrity’s full statement below:
— Todd Harrity (@toddharrity) April 28, 2018
Love you so much @toddharrity 💕💕💕 You know I will always support you no matter what & I am so proud of you for coming out. This takes so much courage to do. #LoveWins #BestFriend 💗💗💗💗😘😘😘😘 https://t.co/eGKBj8DFEI
— Amanda Sobhy (@itssobhytime) April 28, 2018
Aw, Todd, so pleased for you. Well done and I’m sure you will and already are an inspiration to others being such a lovely guy. Go live your life to the full now, it’s the best thing ever!! 💪🏻💙
— Jenny Duncalf (@JennyDuncalf) April 29, 2018
The #1 ranked squash player in the US comes out as gay. Congrats @toddharrity, I hope you receive the acceptance and support that you deserve! Cheers to getting to enjoy the rest of your career and life honestly and authentically! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 https://t.co/BDojvbsSJz
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) April 30, 2018
One day this won’t have to be such a big headline and @toddharrity has taken us another step closer to that. Unprecedented in squash, and it will be an inspiring message for so many https://t.co/lmBNoL5CtJ
— James Willstrop (@james_willstrop) April 30, 2018
