Dame Kelly Holmes has introduced that she is homosexual, saying she felt popping out was one thing she “needed to do now”.
Speaking throughout Pride month, the two-time Olympic gold medallist stated she realised she was homosexual on the age of 17 after kissing a fellow feminine soldier, and that her household and associates have recognized since 1997.
She advised the Sunday Mirror: “I needed to do this now, for me. It was my decision. I’m nervous about saying it. I feel like I’m going to explode with excitement.
“Sometimes I cry with relief. The moment this comes out, I’m essentially getting rid of that fear.”
The 52-year-old Olympian additionally revealed she had struggled along with her psychological well being due to having to cover her sexuality, and that she needed to hold a number of same-sex relationships she had throughout her time within the Women’s Royal Army Corps secret, for worry of being court docket marshalled.
Until 2000, it was unlawful for homosexual, lesbian and bisexual folks to serve within the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF – and Dame Kelly feared she would nonetheless face repercussions for breaking that regulation throughout her time within the forces.
Tristan Fewings through Getty Images
She contacted a navy LGBTQ+ chief in 2020 to search out out if she may very well be sanctioned for breaking military guidelines and was advised she wouldn’t be.
She stated: “I felt like I could breathe again, one little call could have saved 28 years of heartache.”
After retiring from skilled athletics in 2005, Dame Kelly has written a e book, grow to be a motivational speaker and appeared on the truth sequence Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.
Dame Kelly additionally arrange a charity in 2008, created to assist retired athletes to transition out of their sport, and to create mentoring programmes to encourage younger folks from deprived backgrounds into sports activities.
In 2019, she confronted criticism after stating her perception on Twitter that transgender athletes shouldn’t be allowed to compete in girls’s sport.
She has began to make a documentary about her experiences referred to as Being Me, the place she talks to LGBTQ+ troopers about their lives within the navy now.
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