10 gay athlete couples we can be thankful for
LGBTQ jocks falling in love tug at our heartstrings and are an affirming benefit of being out, in beautiful relationships. The post 10 gay athlete couples we can be thankful for appeared first on Outsports.
Mark
The most important way for an LGBTQ athlete to make a difference is by being visible. It’s only by being out and open while competing in sports that an athlete can show that there are no areas off limits for LGBTQ people.
One of the chief benefits of being out is the ability to share one’s relationship with the world if one chooses. These stories, posted on social media and places like Outsports, are uplifting and affirming and have the effect of helping those still struggling with their orientation to realize that there is a better future.
In 2025 we saw numerous examples of out athletes sharing their relationships, from gay men to lesbians to trans and nonbinary people. In some cases, these were new reveals, for others it was an important life update. For Thanksgiving, we thought it’d be cool to share some of our favorite relationship stories from 2025.
Volleyball coach Nathan Matthews
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Gay volleyball coach marries ‘most beautiful soul’ in magical island wedding
Nathan Matthews and Daniel Koloff met playing volleyball and love bloomed. Their gay wedding on a Greek island cemented their bond.
Their proposal was in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Paris Olympics. Their wedding was 10 months later on a Greek island with a stunning backdrop. For gay couple Nathan Matthews and Daniel Koloff, their special day this month came more than a decade after they first met as high school volleyball players. Read more
Runners Nikki Hiltz and Emma Gee
Nikki Hiltz had a weekend to remember at the USATF Indoor Championships in Staten Island, N.Y., this winter and did something no other runner had accomplished. At her side in celebration was her partner, Emma Gee. Read more
Baseball player Matt Kaplon
Matt Kaplon, a trailblazing gay athlete, married his now-husband, Nicolaus Wegrzyn, this spring. In a beautiful wedding set in Ashville, N.C., the two men joined in matrimony after nine years of dating. Read more
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Basketball players Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd
The queens of college basketball helped lead UConn to the NCAA women’s title, and Bueckers then went on to be the WNBA Rookie of the Year. The pair confirmed this summer they are an item. Read more
Gymnast Charlie Larson
In October, University of Michigan gymnast Charlie Larson teased that he had a boyfriend, but was coy as to who it was. In November, the soft launch became a hard launch when Larson showed pictures of the two of them on social media. Read more
Tennis player Greet Minnen
Belgian tennis player Greet Minnen may not have played a match at Wimbledon this year, but it appears that she still managed to find a match off the court, that is, a match for life. Minnen announced she and her partner, Marie Diels, have tied the knot, sharing an Instagram story with her and Diels on their wedding day. Read more
Fitness athletes Alec Smith and Riley Hedstrom
Smith and fellow fitness enthusiast Hedstrom have been engaged for three years. While the 32-year-old Smith says he is looking forward to tying the knot with Hedstrom, their priority is to start a family. Read more
Gymnast Jade Carey
U.S. women’s gymnast Jade Carey, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has a girlfriend. It’s the latest example of what we call a quiet coming out as LGBTQ on social media. Read more
Equestrian ride Frederic Wandres
Frederic Wandres, the only man representing “Team LGBTQ” at the Paris Olympics to win a gold medal is celebrating his engagement to his long-time boyfriend. Read more
Pro wrestler Indi Hartwell
TNA Wrestling star Indi Hartwell and her partner announced their engagement via Instagram with a series of photos showing off their rings and a romantic setup complete with candles, flowers and a sketch of the two together. Read more
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The post 10 gay athlete couples we can be thankful for appeared first on Outsports.
