Hey Gurl, Hey! College Athlete Comes Out on IG

In a statement on his personal Instagram page, star runner Nico Young publicly came out to the world. The soon-to-be Junior at Northern Arizona University is majoring in Exercise Science, but also currently holds the records in the American Junior 5K category for both indoor, as well as outdoor events. He is widely considered to be one of the future stars of Team USA.

 

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A post shared by Nico Young (@nico__young__)

The statement read:

"Hi, I’m Nico, and I’m gay

This may come as a shock to some of you, but this is something I have always known and have finally decided to share with the world. I like guys, not girls. 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. I have struggled to accept myself, but I am 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. This is a quality of myself as well as so many other people that should be accepted and celebrated just the same as a straight person’s identity is. I want and hope to be a representative and advocate for others like me. I want anyone who is struggling with who they are to know that you are never alone, and that the people who truly matter to you will always be there to love and support you. If people choose to walk out of your life because of who you are, then they never deserved to be in your life in the first place. My name is Nico Young and I’m proud to be gay!"

Nico coming out at such an early stage of his professional career will no doubt give his countless young fans a great example of how much the world has changed, and how there will always be a place for gays in sports. We've always been in sports, but now we're finally speaking our voices aloud!

Congrats to Nico! We can't wait to see all that he accomplishes as a more fully formed and honest version of himself.

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