US Gymnastics Championships wowed by queer athlete 3 years after nearly quitting
The US Gymnastics Championships have been a place for LGBTQ athlete Jackson Harrison to shine, particularly on the floor exercise. The post US Gymnastics Championships wowed by queer athlete 3 years after nearly quitting appeared first on Outsports.
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The US Gymnastics Championships are taking place now at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, and they include at least one LGBTQ athlete, Jackson Harrison.
Harrison, whom Outsports profiled several years ago, competed in gymnastics at Arizona State University, where they and the team found success.
At the US Gymnastics Championships this week, Harrison competed on Day 1 in the floor exercise, vault and high bar. Harrison had the fourth-best score on the floor, at 14.150.
Harrison’s floor exercise drew tons of praise on Reddit. “Real Diva Alert” posted one fan.
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USA Gymnastics told Harrison to “take a bow” after the strong performance.
Related
Queer gymnast finds connection and acceptance at Arizona State
‘When I came to Arizona State, I began to discover a newfound connection with my queer self,’ says gymnast Jackson Harrison.
Harrison and the Sun Devils team found success, going on a lengthy win streak, as well as winning a GymACT national championship.
GymACT is a collection of university-based gymnastics programs that are not affiliated with the NCAA.
That year, Harrison finished with a silver medal on the floor exercise and fifth in vault at the championships.
Harrison originally came out as gay in life, with a cute note and predictable reaction from parents.
“At the end of the summer,” Harrison wrote in an Outsports op-ed several years ago, “I wrote a note to my mom and step-dad telling them I was gay and left it on the coffee machine one weekend. Neither was surprised and both were super accepting.”
Struggling through injuries and so much else, Harrison eventually came out as nonbinary, saying they felt like neither a man nor a woman.
Regardless, Harrison felt tons of acceptance on the successful Arizona State men’s gymnastics team.
Now Harrison continues a career of success with the US Gymnastics Championships. With Day 1 behind them, Day 2 on Saturday beckons. Harrison will again compete in floor, vault and high bar.
Where will Harrison’s gymnastics career take Harrison after these US Championships? We look forward to finding out.
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The post US Gymnastics Championships wowed by queer athlete 3 years after nearly quitting appeared first on Outsports.
