15 young queer sports stars who took home the gold in 2025
This was a banner year for gay athletes.
Mark
It was a banner year for gay athletes. They won gold medals, dominated on the hardwood and revealed their partners to the world. One champion hurdler was dubbed “track’s new lover boy,” while a star figure skater glided her way to another likely Olympic appearance.
As LGBTQ+ athletes come out earlier in life, they shine at every level. To close out the year, we thought we would look at the young sports studs who budded into stars, and what they have in store for 2026.
Scroll down to see victors…
Trey Cunningham, Track and Field
How about we take this to the next level?
Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today
When speaking with Queerty recently, Cunningham boasted that he’s one of the best hurdlers in the world. “Every time I line up, it’s as fast or faster than a World Championship or Olympic final,” he said. “I’m the best or one of the best hurdlers on the planet on any given day.”
In 2025, the 27-year-old performed like it, winning multiple Grand Slams and a Diamond League title. Oh, and he also swapped speedos with Tom Daley. Win!
Related
Champion hurdler Trey Cunningham gets candid about wearing spandex & being “track’s biggest heartthrob”
Trey Cunningham isn’t lacking for self-confidence.
MiLaysia Fulwiley, Basketball
Fresh off leading the South Carolina women’s basketball team to back-to-back national championships–and securing one title–Fulwiley took advantage of the NCAA’s new player transfer rules and joined the LSU Tigers. So far, the most dominant force in women’s college hoops hasn’t lost her edge. The Tigers, a storied team in their own right, are enjoying an undefeated season.
Merrick McHenry, Volleyball
Along with out teammate Erik Shoji, McHenry helped fuel Team USA at the World Championships. Though Team USA lost in the quarterfinals, McHenry established himself on the world stage. The UCLA record holder for career solo blocks, McHenry won the NCAA championship in 2023.
AB Hernandez, High School Track and Field
Trans high school athlete AB Hernandez won two California state titles, prompting outrage from the transphobic right. Through it all, she’s continued to compete, and handled herself with aplomb.
“People just see one thing and that’s what you are,” she told CBS. “They swear I’m like this crazy danger to society. I’m just a normal kid going to school, playing sports.”
Paige Beuckers, Basketball
(@paigebueckers)The star guard had herself a year: Bueckers won an NCAA title with UConn, got selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft, won WNBA Rookie of the Year and revealed her girlfriend to the world. That’s amazing! Speaking of her gf…
Azzi Fudd, Basketball
Dubbed as the nation’s best player, Fudd is all game. The fashionista is picking up where her girlfriend, Bueckers, left off at UConn. Once again, the Huskies are the No. 1 team in women’s college hoops.
Oscar Bonifacino, Boxing
The first out gay boxer in South African history, Bonifacino won his first professional match this year. Afterwards, the 21-year-old declared he was gay and proud. “I am a free person, I am a gay man,” he told the crowd.
Matteo Santoro, Swimming and Diving
This kid is adorbs! The Italian diver became a world champion this year just one month after going public about his relationship with fellow elite diver Max Linan. Still only a teenager, Santoro is diving into a bright future.
Nico Young, Track and Field
Nico Young continued to fill up the record books in 2025, becoming the first out man to win a U.S. national track title. The California native also set an American record.
Coming off an Olympic final, Young didn’t slow down–literally. He only got faster.
Amber Glenn, Figure Skating
(@isufigureskating)After winning her second straight U.S. title, Amber Glenn is poised to make her first Olympics in February. We can’t wait to root the 26-year-old figure skater on!
Veronica Garcia, High School Track and Field
The first high school trans athlete to win a title in Washington State, Garcia clapped back to her hateful critics in kind. “I hope they get a life,” she said.
Jade Carey, Gymnastics
After winning gold in Paris, Olympic hero Jade Carey stuck the landing this year when she came out publicly with an adorable girlfriend reveal. On the mat, she’s back to winning titles for Oregon State.
Yared Nuguse, Track and Field
The Olympic bronze medalist also came out this year via boyfriend reveal. Though he didn’t compete at the World Championships, Nuguse has a bright future. The 26-year-old holds multiple U.S. records.
Rori Harmon, Basketball
An electrifying point guard, Harmon has led the Texas Longhorns to an undefeated record this season. She’s also dating a former Texas star named Shaylee Gonzales.
Kurts Adams Rozentals, OF
The British rower says he was unjustly banned from his sport after he posted a racy photo. And honestly, good for him. The 22-year-old is earning more money as an OF model than he ever could as a rower.
Related
British rower gets banned for a racy video but makes a splash on OF
This elite British rower is banned from the waterways. But he’s still making us wet!
Sign up for the Queerty newsletter to stay on top of the hottest stories in LGBTQ+ entertainment, politics, and culture.
