QUESTION

I feel like my coach is treating me different since finding out I'm gay. What should I do? Should I say something?

Answer

"I think that depends on your relationship with your coach. If it's something that you feel comfortable with, I believe that communication is key.

In my personal experience after coming out, I found myself in a very similar situation. And what I learned after engaging in a conversation that honestly took me a while to prepare for, because you do have to go in with a level head and really be as open and as honest and expect that person to be, too.

But what I've learned was that as new as it was for me being out, it was also new for that person to be dealing with someone in my situation. And I really never considered that perspective, and I was really being treated differently because of their fear of messing up. And I think it's a really great opportunity to help that individual learn and grow and giving them the tools to treat you how you deserve to be treated. But also, in that next case, when they have to go through this again, they'll be more apt to handle it.

Kevin Maxen
He/Him

Kevin Maxen is a former college football player and the current associate strength coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.