Coming out is liberating for 15-year-old high school volleyball player Galen Dodd

[WillParkinson]

Coming out is liberating for 15-year-old high school volleyball player Galen Dodd

Editor’s note: At 15, Los Angeles volleyball player Galen Dodd is likely the youngest athlete who has ever told his coming out story for Outsports. He contacted us and had the full backing of his parents, who helped him edit the story.

By Galen Dodd

Three dates will forever be ingrained in my mind: July 17th, 2009, the day I came out to my sister and a group of 50 (almost) random strangers. April 22nd, 2010, the day I came out to my parents with the help of my sister and introduced them to my first boyfriend. And, most recently, Aug. 26th, 2011, the day I came out publicly. These three dates signify part of who I am. Being gay is only part of me – I am also a volleyball player, a student, a son, a friend and so much more.

I first started to understand that I was different when I was 10 years old, in fifth grade, when I had my first introduction to health. Sitting at those wooden tables watching a video on puberty and health, all I could wonder about was how the other guys in the room felt about the subject of girls and guys. I wasn’t sure whether I was the only one not thinking about girls.

In sixth grade, my parents had me take a health education program called OWL (Our Whole Lives) at our church. The class, which covered everything from eating right to healthy relationships to sex, was where I realized that I was attracted to guys. Eighteen months later, on July 17th, 2009, I came out to my sister and a group of teens as we were attending a teen personal growth seminar, Insight Seminars. During a break, my now-best friend, Allie, said to me: “You’re such a strong person. I love and am so proud of you. What you did inspired me to share myself more.” Also during the break, Leah, one of the people I was closest with at the seminar, said it was “just so great how open everyone can be here.” These comments coming from near strangers started to show me how supportive people truly can be.

http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2011/10/23/coming-out-is-liberating-for-15-year-old-high-school-volleyball-player/

[joeybee12]

1. Bravo for him...I can't imagine coming out when I was 15...knr

[WillParkinson]

2. Me either....but then again...

The Jurassic period wasn't all that friendly anyway. :)

[joeybee12]

3. And that's why you need to leave all MY future husbands alone...

Such intimacy with such brutes wouldn't be good for your frail heart!

[HillWilliam]

5. Well, 15 might be waaaaayyyy too young and I might be getting all pappaw

I could still give a few 30somethings quite an education :evilgrin:

[HillWilliam]

4. Or me either, for that matter.

I suffered enough abuse just constantly being the new kid at school. I shudder to imagine what it would have been like if anyone had suspected I was gay.

[joeybee12]

7. I hate to sound old, but it really was a different time for us...nt

[HillWilliam]

8. Boyhowdy, it certainly was. n/t

[William769]

6. Recommended and good for him!

[uriel1972]

9. Good luck to him

I still haven't 'Come Out' to family and friends and I'm about to hit 40. Sigh. Partly because it's taken me so long to work out what I am.

[Rowdyboy]

10. Oh brave new world! That has such people in it!

And that's meant literally, not ironically as in the book.

I'm so proud of that kid I could burst.

K&R

[xchrom]

11. wonderful! nt