Orlando Cruz: “I Have Always Been and Always will be a Proud Gay Man”
October 4, 2012 by Maureen McCarty, Online Content and Marketing Manager
Featherweight boxing champ Orlando Cruz came out yesterday, making him the first openly gay man in boxing history.
"I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man,” Cruz said in a statement.
The timing of Cruz’s announcement is particularly poignant, with National Coming Out Day just around the corner. Every year on October 11, we celebrate coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or as an ally.
Open LGBT athletes are highly visible role models for youth and we commend Cruz for his bravery and commitment to living openly and authentically.
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