Arts & Entertainment
Storm’s Sullivan becomes first out bisexual player in pro hockey
Yet another figure in the world of professional sports has come out of the closet.
Last weekend, Manchester Storm defenseman Zach Sullivan came out as bisexual on social media. According to Outsports, he is believed to be the first professional ice hockey player to do so during their career.
The 25-year old UK hockey player made his revelation as his teamās Elite Ice Hockey League held its first-ever Pride weekend, in partnership with You Can Play. Hockey website RMNB reports that support for the weekend was league-wide; individual teams selected a local LGBT+ charity to work with, with initiatives ranging from the use of Pride tape, specially designed Pride jerseys, raffles and auctions to win playerās shirts, Pride merchandise for sale, and some proceeds going to directly to LGBT+ organizations. The weekend received heavy promotion across social media and in national and local news coverage across the UK.
Ahead of Sundayās game between the Storm and rival team the Dundee Stars, Sullivan took to Instagram and Twitter with a the following post:
āWith this being the first ever EIHL #PrideWeekend I feel now is the best time to speak about what I have known for many years. I have battled with mental health problems over this issue and with the support, understanding and acceptance from my family, friends and teammates, I finally feel read to say; Iām bisexual. I have never been more proud to wear a jersey before, especially one that celebrates all gender identities and sexualities.ā
His post on Twitter was accompanied by a photograph of himself and teammates Cam Critchlow and Jared Aulin, each of them wearing the Manchester Storm Pride jersey.
#PrideWeekend #ICanPlay #YouCanPlay @officialEIHL @Mcr_Storm pic.twitter.com/2FH6AtDZ4f
ā Zach Sullivan (@ZachSully11) January 26, 2020
Response to Sullivanās revelation came quickly from both fans and players of the Storm, as well as from fans and players of other teams both within and outside of the Elite League, and was described by RMNB as āoverwhelmingly positive.ā The Tweet currently has 6.6K likes and 1.1K retweets, while the Instagram post has nearly 1700 likes.
Among the many supportive comments:
āHuge thanks for your courage in sharing your story, @zachsully94, & being proud of who you are! Your authenticity & bravery will make a difference in the lives of more lgbtq youth worldwide than you can imagine. Much continued success & #BeTrue! ? ? ?ļøā?ā„ļøā (@gamcockgrad84 on Instagram)
āTo be open and honest on who you are will forever be the best desicion you will ever make. So proud of you!ā (@hans.morten.storsveen on Instagram)
āSo proud of you. This shows how important having this weekend is for our sport itās allowed you to live your truth and just be you.ā (@DaytonDevil on Twitter)
āSending much love your way. Not sure youāll ever know how youāll have helped gay hockey fans like myself. #icehockeypride #stormtheiceā (@theicehockeynut on Twitter)
Following Sullivanās initial social media posts, Manchester Storm posted a follow-up statement on their website, in which they said were āextremely proud of Zach,ā and called him āa role model for so many people, young and old, in the sporting world.ā
The statement also included additional comments by Sullivan, who explained, āIām not doing this in the hope of any publicity. Iāve always been a very private guy, but I realise that I have a unique opportunity to do some good. If I can be open and honest about my sexuality, then hopefully that will give other hockey players around the country the same confidence to do the same.ā
Manchester Storm went on to beat the Dundee Stars 3-0 at Sunday’s game. One fan who attended the game, Hilary Keane, told RMNB āWhen they called his name and number as he stepped onto the ice for warmups the cheer was noticeably louder than it was for any other player. Then, when he was called to do the ceremonial puck drop the entire building cheered and got on their feet for him.ā
On Monday, Sullivan went on radio station BBC Manchester, where he told an interviewer:
āI think itās a journey that everyone has to take at their own pace. By no means, just because Iāve done it, do I expect hundreds of other people to do it, thatās not what Iāve done this for. If me saying this can help someone else feel better about themselves or move them a little bit further on their journey, then thatās my end target. Everyoneās different, but at the end of the day everyoneās still human. It doesnāt matter who you are, or what you believe in, or who you fall in love with. My suggestion is to just be yourself and take it at your own pace.ā
Sullivanās opening up about his bisexuality comes just a few months after Jon Lee-Olsen, goalkeeper for Denmarkās Rungsted Seier Capital, became one of the few professional hockey players ever, and possibly the only one currently playing in the world, to come out openly as gay.
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Bladeās 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Itās an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nationās first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three ā Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall ā are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochesterās campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Bladeās Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sothebyās, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of āThe Real Housewivesā franchise and host of āWatch What Happens Live,ā will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, āThe Daddy Diaries,ā talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from āThe Real Housewivesā in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
āHerses- Purse Frist Extravaganzaā will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.