Today's Out Spotlight is someone who's coming out made the news and the sporting news this week. A former amateur, Olympic and now professional, he made history by becoming the first openly gay man in the
sport's history to come out while still boxing. Today's Out Spotlight is Orlando Cruz.
Orlando Cruz was born July 1, 1981 in Puerto Rico. He began boxing at the age of seven and was 178-11 as an amateur,
during which time he was a seven-time Puerto Rican national champion
and 2000 Olympian, when he was a teammate of future world champions Miguel Cotto and Ivan Calderon.
Cruz (18-2-1, 9 KOs) made his professional debut on December 15, 2000 against Alfredo
Valdéz in Puerto Rico. He did not lose until 2009, when he lost against
Cornelius Lock by TKO. Cruz is currently ranked at #4 in the world in the featherweight division by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Last week Cruz described himself as "a proud gay man" as he
went public with his sexuality for the first time.
"I've been
fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I
want to be true to myself," the 31-year-old announced in a press
release. "I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who
might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and
will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will
be a proud gay man."
He admitted to an Associated Press reporter that it was “a relief” to make his announcement.
“I developed physically and mentally to take such a big step in my
life and in my profession, which is boxing, knowing that it would have
pros and cons, highs and lows in this sport that is so macho,” Cruz
said. “I kept this hidden for many, many years.
“I don’t want to hide any of my identities. I want people to look at
me for the human being that I am. I am a professional sportsman that
always brings his best to the ring. I want for people to continue to see
me for my boxing skills, my character, my sportsmanship, but I also
want kids who suffer from bullying to know that you can be whoever you
want to be in life, including a professional boxer; that anything is
possible and that who you are or whom you love should not be an
impediment to achieving anything in life.”
Cruz admitted to having reservations about the announcement, one he
struggled with for some time before going public. He met with
psychologists, family and friends before taking this step, but the
reaction has been largely positive across social media, with many
praising him for taking what they called a brave step. Among those who
expressed support was fellow Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, who announced he was gay in 2010.
Cruz's announcement was hailed by gay rights advocates and groups, who said
the fighter's decision to come out as a gay man could encourage more men
in the boxing world, and beyond, to do the same. "It is absolutely
fantastic that Orlando has taken the step to become the first openly gay
boxer," said Richard Lane, a spokesman for Stonewall. "It is vital that
there are positive role models in sport for lesbian, gay and bisexual
people. This can only be a good step forward for fans of boxing and
other sports."
Aris Pina, a boxing historian, said Cruz's
revelation would also have a positive impact on the Latino community.
"It takes a lot of courage to announce you're a proud openly gay Puerto
Rican man, especially within the Latin community where men are very
masculine, and within the homophobic world of boxing."
