QUESTION

I’ve recently come out to my friends, family and teammates. I can’t help but feel like they treat me slightly different. Do you think it’s worth it to bring it up or let them process their own way?

Answer

Really, if it's important to you to bring it up, bring it up.

But it's equally important to be mindful of how they may be processing it. The same way that you hope and expect them to honor your visibility and what you're going through, you should consider that their perspective may be different, or it may take them more time, to properly articulate what they're feeling, and that's totally okay.

While that respect is a two way street, be consistent, be clear, be firm, create boundaries, but remind them you're still you, the same that you were before, the same that you are now, and the same that you're going to be. So just kinda let it pass. Again, just have open conversations as best as you can, and communicate.

Kevin Maxen
He/Him

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