In 2012, Orlando Cruz made history by publicly coming out as gay while being an active athlete in boxing, challenging gender norms in a macho sport. Raised in poverty in Puerto Rico, he represented his country globally and later became a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community in Latin America. Similarly, in Spain, water polo player Victor Gutierrez came out in 2016 and is now involved in politics promoting LGBTQ+ rights. Both athletes faced significant internal struggles regarding their identities, reflecting broader societal pressures in sports that often emphasize masculinity.
I had been living a lie for years, a life that didn't belong to me," Cruz told EL PAIS, highlighting his struggle before coming out.
I decided that I had to share my story to become the role model I never had," Gutierrez explains, emphasizing the importance of representation in sports.
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