Canadian Speed Skater Anastasia Bucsis has been out to her friends and family for many years.
Now, in response to Russia's anti-gay laws and the controversy surrounding the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, she has made the decision to come out publicly.
Bucsis tweeted this weekend from Calgary’s Pride parade:
I'm proud to be from Calgary, I'm proud to be an athlete, and I'm proud to be gay. Happy #PrideYYC
She was personally blown away by the outpouring of support she received:
Swimming in love from the kindness of strangers.
Anastasia Bucsis
@anastasure
Swimming in love from the kindness of strangers.
/ Via“I could never promote that message of concealing who you are with all of this going on in Russia. I’m kind of happy that I did it on my own terms,” the athlete told the Globe And Mail.
Having already set her personal bests this year, she hopes to qualify for Sochi in long-track speed skating.
Bucsis joins the ranks of several other athletes that have publicly spoken out against Russia's anti-gay laws:
Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg, a certain choice for the Swedish national hockey team, said the law was “awful, just awful."
American runner Nick Symmonds dedicated his silver medal in the 800-meter final to his LGBT friends.
He said, "If there’s anything I can do to champion the cause and further it, I will, shy of getting arrested.”
20-year-old Australian snowboarding Olympic hopeful Belle Brockhoff came out of the closet late last week to take a stand for LGBT athletes.
And figure skater Johnny Weir made it clear he’s willing to be arrested in Russia in order to make a point about his commitment to the LGBT equality.
