Arts & Entertainment

Gay U.S. collegiate champion divers come out

Wilfong and Bissett reveal they are gay and a couple

Published

10 years ago

December 2, 2015

Mariah Cooper

(Jamie Bissett and Tanner Wilfong. Photo @turnuptanner / Instagram)

Gay U.S. collegiate champion divers Tanner Wilfong and Jamie Bissett came out publicly about their sexuality and that they are a couple on Saturday.

The Roanoke Times first broke the news in an interview with Wolfing. The paper reports that Wilfong is the only male athlete who is active in the Atlantic Coast Conference to come out publicly.

When Wilfong and Bissett first met they were in different places when it came to revealing their sexuality.

“I think every day is a better day,” Wilfong says. “Our relationship has changed so much since we first met, because [Jamie] wasn’t even ‘out.’ It’s a complete progression until the day you depart, move on or die.”

Meanwhile, Bissett found Wolfing being out to be intimidating.

“He was ‘out’ when we met, and obviously, that was scary for me,” Bissett says. “I’m thankful to have met him. I’ve learned a lot about myself through having met him and definitely credit that whole experience to where I am now.”

Bassett came out to family and friends after dating Wilfong for a few months.

Wilfong competes for University of Miami and is competing in a Power-5 conference in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC. Bissett is a Purdue graduate and has completed his NCAA eligibility. Wilfong and Bissett qualify for the 2016 Olympic trials.

Related Topics:2016 Olympics ACC Big 12 Big Ten coming out Jamie Bissett NCAA Pac-12 Purdue SEC Tanner Wilfong The Roanoke Times University of Miami

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‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay

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Published

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