Nico Young just sprinted into the record books — and into our hearts — with a groundbreaking victory that’s both athletic and historic.
At the USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, the 23-year-old distance runner became the first publicly out gay man to win a U.S. national title in track and field, securing gold in the men’s 10,000-meter race.
Instagram: @nico__young__ @citiusmag
Young’s dramatic late surge helped him overtake Olympic medalist Grant Fisher and rising star Graham Blanks, finishing with a time of 29:02.12 — just a quarter of a second ahead of Fisher.
It wasn’t just about the time on the clock but the milestone for representation in American sports.
“I want to be a representative and advocate for others like me,” Young said in his coming out post back in August 2022, and that promise just got a powerful follow-through on the track.
Instagram: @nico__young__ @citiusmag
This victory came nearly a year after Young helped make history at the 2023 Paris Olympics, where his participation marked another LGBTQ+ milestone for American male athletes.
He’s also the current U.S. outdoor record holder for the 5,000 meters, a title he claimed in June at the Diamond League meet in Oslo, and he’s aiming for another breakthrough at the upcoming World Athletics Championships.
Though the pace in Eugene was slower than some of his past personal bests — his P.B. stands at an impressive 26:52.72 — Young’s strategy and finishing kick were flawless, covering the final four laps in just under four minutes.
Instagram: @nico__young__
With reigning Olympic champ Joseph Cheptegei unlikely to compete in Tokyo, Young’s path to Olympic glory seems more realistic than ever.
And while other LGBTQ+ athletes like Kerron Clement, Nikki Hiltz, and Sha’Carri Richardson have made headlines in recent years, Young now becomes a symbol for gay men in men’s track competitions — not after the fact, but right in the moment of his crowning achievement.
Instagram: @nico__young__
Despite being somewhat reserved about his identity publicly, Young told Runner’s World that he draws strength from standing out.
“It means a lot to me,” he said. “I hoped to be a voice for people who are struggling.”
And now, with a medal around his neck and a growing legacy in both athletics and representation, that voice is impossible to ignore.
When celebrities use their voices to stand up for LGBTQ+ people, it can change hearts and culture. Here are some inspiring moments where straight allies stood up for equality – and why they still matter today, especially in troubled times:
💖 Elizabeth Taylor fights for love during the AIDS crisis (1980s)
In the darkest days of the 1980s AIDS epidemic, Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor took a stand when almost no one else would. She spoke out loudly for people with HIV/AIDS – a group mostly made up of gay men then – at a time when even saying “AIDS” was taboo. Taylor helped found amfAR in 1985 and raised millions for research, fearlessly fighting stigma “when so many living with HIV/AIDS were invisible” . Her compassion gave dignity to those whom society shunned. As she famously said in her GLAAD Award speech, “There is no gay agenda; it’s a human agenda… What it comes down to, ultimately, is love… The bad stuff comes out of hate and ignorance” . 💕 Taylor’s courage helped change attitudes, and her legacy of love still inspires allies to speak up today.
📺 Oprah Winfrey stands with Ellen (1997)
In 1997, talk-show icon Oprah Winfrey put her reputation on the line to support Ellen DeGeneres’ groundbreaking coming-out. Oprah guest-starred as the therapist in Ellen’s famous “Puppy Episode,” which 42 million viewers tuned in to see – a mainstream TV first for gay visibility . By simply sitting beside Ellen on that sitcom, Oprah sent a powerful message that being gay is nothing to fear. The backlash was intense: Oprah was inundated with nearly a thousand hate calls (many laced with racist, vitriolic slurs) for supporting Ellen . But she didn’t back down ✊. Years later, Oprah told Ellen that without that brave step, “you wouldn’t be able to… change people’s minds and make a difference… had you not had the courage to do that” . Oprah’s steadfast allyship – in the face of hate – helped open hearts and pave the way for more LGBTQ stories on TV. 🌈
🍔 Guy Fieri’s 101 Gay Weddings (2015)
He might be known for diners and drive-ins, but in 2015 celebrity chef Guy Fieri showed a heart of gold in spectacular fashion 😃. Guy volunteered to officiate a mass wedding for 101 same-sex couples on a Miami beach – trading his usual bowling shirt for a bright purple suit and a smile, as he led dozens of LGBTQ pairs in saying “I do” . Even more touching, he did it to honor his late sister, who was a lesbian , turning personal loss into an outpouring of love. The event (organized by chef Art Smith) was a joyous celebration of marriage equality, complete with a giant seven-tier rainbow cake and cheering crowds . Guy’s very public show of support – at a time when many were still fighting for the right to marry – sent a simple, powerful message: love is love, and everyone deserves to celebrate it. 🎂🌈 His allyship, filled with positivity and fun, helped normalize LGBTQ weddings in pop culture and warmed countless hearts.
🎸 Bruce Springsteen’s stand against an anti-LGBTQ law (2016)
In 2016, rock icon Bruce Springsteen took a bold stand for transgender rights 🎶. When North Carolina passed a harsh anti-LGBTQ “bathroom bill” (HB2) targeting trans people, Springsteen did more than issue a statement – he canceled his concert in the state to protest the injustice . This was no small gesture: it meant disappointing fans and losing income, but The Boss put principles first. Bruce declared “Some things are more important than a rock show” , showing solidarity with those whose rights and dignity were under attack. His surprise cancellation made national headlines and put a spotlight on the discriminatory law, pressuring others to speak out. In fact, Springsteen’s advocacy was praised for giving “voice… to those who struggle against injustice” on behalf of citizens whose “fundamental dignity” was being trampled . 💪🏳️🌈 Even today, his message resonates: no concert or business is more important than standing up for people’s equal rights. Springsteen’s courageous allyship inspired other artists to take action and reminded LGBTQ folks they weren’t alone.
🏆 Taylor Swift champions Equality Act (2019)
Pop superstar Taylor Swift used her voice for change at a critical moment 🌈. In 2019 – amid a rising tide of divisive politics – Taylor stepped forward as an LGBTQ ally, despite having stayed apolitical before. She wrote open letters and donated money, urging lawmakers to protect LGBTQ rights. That summer, she launched a petition and urged her millions of fans to support the Equality Act (a federal law to ban LGBTQ discrimination) – gathering over 500,000 signatures in just weeks . At the MTV VMAs, after winning Video of the Year for her Pride-themed song “You Need to Calm Down,” Taylor used her live speech to call out those in power for inaction and implored everyone to support equality under the law . She later explained her motivation: seeing that “rights are being stripped from basically everyone who isn’t a straight white cisgender male” in America pushed her to speak up . 💖 By bravely taking a public stand in an era of culture wars, Taylor showed millions of young fans what true allyship looks like. Her influence made LGBTQ issues impossible to ignore in the pop mainstream, and it still matters – she proved that even superstars can use their platform to demand justice, helping shift the culture toward acceptance. ✊🌈
🏀 Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union defend their transgender daughter (2020s)
NBA legend Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union have shown fearless love for their child – and for all LGBTQ+ youth – even as political winds turn hostile. 💕 When their daughter Zaya came out as transgender, Wade didn’t hide it; instead he went on national TV to proudly proclaim that he and Gabrielle are “proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community” and equally “proud allies” . In recent years, as their home state of Florida passed a wave of anti-LGBTQ laws (from “Don’t Say Gay” to bans on trans healthcare), Wade and Union made the painful decision to move their family out of Florida so that Zaya could live safely and authentically . They acknowledge that many families can’t just relocate, so this power couple uses every platform they have to fight for those who can’t leave – vowing “we are going to be fighting till we are out of breath to protect all kids who are oppressed. That is our responsibility… as people with large platforms” . Their courage as parents and allies sends hope to countless LGBTQ families. In a time when transgender youth are under attack in many places, Wade and Union’s outspoken support shows that love will always have our backs, even when the law doesn’t. 🌟👨👩👧🌈
🎬 Pedro Pascal proudly strutting the red carpets with his transgender sister Lux (2020’s)
Sometimes allyship means putting family — and values — first.
When The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal speaks out, he doesn’t hold back.
In 2023, as anti-trans laws surged across the U.S., Pedro shared a fierce, unapologetic message of support for his trans sister Lux Pascal, posting simply:
“Mi hermana, mi corazón, our hearts are with you.”
❤️ But this wasn’t just a sweet gesture — it was a powerful statement seen by millions, during a time when trans voices were being erased.
Pedro used his fame not to protect himself, but to protect others.
For LGBTQ+ people — especially trans youth — it meant the world.
When you’re an ally, silence is not an option.
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These moments show how one bold act of allyship can ripple out and change culture. Straight allies – whether a classic Hollywood icon or a superstar athlete – make a difference by standing up publicly for the LGBTQ+ community. Their support has brought comfort, sparked conversations, and even changed policies. In today’s challenging climate, their example reminds us that we all have the power to fight for what’s right. When allies speak out with love and courage, hearts open, hate shrinks, and the world moves a little closer to equality. 💞 Together, we can get through the darkest times – because real love and solidarity never back down.
Paul Poirier, the Canadian Olympic figure skater who dazzled us on the ice, just added some serious sparkle to his personal life.
The 33-year-old athlete took to Instagram to share that he’s officially engaged to his long-term boyfriend, Kevin.
Instagram: @pauldpoirier @kevsta
In a sweet, understated post on July 30, the couple flaunted their silver rings with the caption: “We did a thing (he said yes).”
It turns out the proposal was just as low-key and lovely as the couple themselves.
According to an interview with Outsports, Poirier popped the question during one of their evening routines at home, making it intimate, quiet, and full of heart.
“It was really nice to share that quiet moment together,” Poirier said, “and then to share the news with our families and closest friends.”
He met Kevin back in 2020, and he’s described his fiancé as his “favourite person and biggest source of support in all facets of life.”
Instagram: @pauldpoirier @kevsta
Among the many well-wishers was his skating partner Piper Gilles, who commented with a glowing “You’ve deserved all the love.”
Poirier, who came out publicly ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, said he wanted to be a role model for young queer athletes.
“[Being a gay athlete] hasn’t been something that I’ve really talked about very much, especially in a public setting,” he shared at the time.
But in recent years, Poirier has opened up more, explaining that he sees the importance of letting people see who he really is — on and off the rink.
Instagram: @pauldpoirier @kevsta
“I’ve had this attitude that my private life is my private life,” he said, “but I definitely see opportunities to share what we do and who we are to a much wider audience, and that opportunity is not lost on me.”
During Pride Month, he reflected even deeper, noting how his sexuality helped shape both the person and athlete he is today.
Instagram: @pauldpoirier @kevsta
“Perhaps I can be a role model for so many young queer athletes who are growing up and not really sure how to navigate that,” he said.
With this joyful engagement, Poirier isn’t just celebrating love — he’s continuing to break barriers with every graceful glide, every silver ring, and every heartfelt moment shared with the world.
After making headlines for trading modern life for 1880s homesteading on the reality series Back to the Frontier, Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs—better known as @2_dallas_dads—are back in the spotlight for something a little more modern, colorful, and joy-filled: their annual trip to Family Week in Provincetown.
Instagram: @2_dallas_dads
The married couple, who are raising twin sons and advocating for LGBTQ+ family visibility, recently shared throwback and current photos from this year’s gathering in Ptown, the world’s largest event for queer families.
“One of our favorite traditions,” they wrote on Instagram, “where 500+ LGBTQ+ families from all over the world come together to celebrate, connect, and just be us.”
Instagram: @2_dallas_dads
For the Hanna-Riggs family, the contrast couldn’t be more poetic.
On Back to the Frontier, which premiered on HBO Max and Magnolia Network, the couple and their boys gave up 21st-century comforts to live as 1880s pioneers—no phones, no running water, no electricity.
The show stirred up conservative backlash from voices like Franklin Graham, who accused the show of pushing a so-called “anti-Christian agenda” by featuring a same-sex family in the cast.
Instagram: @2_dallas_dads
But in Provincetown, there’s no such controversy—just rainbow flags, face paint, drag story hours, and hundreds of families who look a lot like theirs.
“Watching our boys see so many families that look like ours is so meaningful,” they wrote, adding that the love and community they find during Family Week stays with them all year long.
Family Week is more than just a vacation—it’s a vibrant celebration of inclusion and the evolving landscape of queer parenthood.
For the Hanna-Riggs family, it also marks a full-circle moment: from advocating for equal parenting rights when their sons were born via surrogacy in 2014, to now starring on national television and being recognized as co-parents in every sense of the word.
Jason shared with Queerty that he was inspired to join the TV show after seeing other gay dads in promotional material and wanting to contribute to positive representation.
And represent they did—on both the dusty frontier and the sandy shores of Ptown.
Instagram: @2_dallas_dads
“We traveled back with two other families to give up modern comforts and embark on a journey back to the 1800s,” they wrote of the show.
Now, their newest posts are filled with sunshine, pride flags, and pure queer joy—proof that no matter the setting, the strength of their family remains unshakable.
“We can’t wait to be back next summer,” they wrote of Family Week. Judging by the love pouring in from their community, neither can we.
Alberto Lejárraga, the only publicly out gay male footballer currently playing in men’s soccer in Spain, has made headlines once again—this time for something far more romantic than a save on the pitch.
Instagram: @alberto_leja
The goalkeeper recently tied the knot with his partner, actor and musician Ruben Fernandez, in a stunning wedding ceremony held on Spain’s picturesque Costa del Sol.
In a sweet and personal nod to his profession, all of Lejárraga’s groomsmen wore cartoon goalkeeper bow ties, and the wedding breakfast seating plan was displayed on a mini grass pitch.
The couple shared heartfelt moments from the big day on social media, where Ruben described the occasion as being “filled with emotions and tears of happiness.”
Instagram: @alberto_leja
The newlyweds are currently honeymooning in Japan, but Lejárraga has also taken time to reflect on the broader meaning of their celebration and its place in the sporting world.
While other male footballers, like Robbie Rogers, have come out and later married their partners, Lejárraga is believed to be the first male pro or semi-pro footballer to marry another man while still actively playing the game.
Instagram: @alberto_leja
Lejárraga came out publicly in April 2023 after posting a photo of himself kissing Fernandez online, with a message of thanks for his partner’s love and support.
He hadn’t planned to make a public declaration, but the moment celebrating Marbella FC’s promotion to the Segunda B division unexpectedly went viral.
The media response surprised him and Fernandez, but they embraced the opportunity to stand for diversity, naturalness, and love with “utmost sensitivity.”
Since then, Lejárraga has continued to speak out about his experience as a gay man in football, including challenges with homophobia and the pressure of staying closeted.
“I feel like it wouldn’t be fair to myself, and especially to my partner, to continue hiding,” he said in an interview with Spanish outlet TVE.
After a successful season and reaching his 100th appearance with Marbella FC in December 2024, Lejárraga signed a one-year contract extension before transferring to UD Sanse, a club closer to his hometown of Madrid.
Instagram: @alberto_leja
He’s also grown into a visible LGBTQ+ advocate, appearing in the documentary The Courage to be Visible alongside other queer Spanish athletes during Pride Month.
Reflecting on the journey, he told Diversa Revista: “If my gesture helped one kid feel a little more free, then it was worth it.”
Lejárraga hopes that future generations won’t need to “come out” at all—that visibility and authenticity will simply be part of the game.
Until then, his message of love, honesty, and acceptance continues to resonate far beyond the goalposts.
