Gay basketball star Daniel Arcos waves Pride flag to open Pan Am Games, as out athletes steal the show
who publicly came out as gay in 2020, hoisted the rainbow flag when he strolled across the field Friday night. The 29-year-old received a nice round of applause from the nearly 40,000 fans in attendance, which was an incredible moment.The Pan Am Games is the biggest sporting event in Chile’s history.
The country was last at the center of the international sports universe way back in 1962, when it hosted the men’s World Cup.A post shared by Daniel Arcos (@danielarcos9)Arcos called the evening an “unforgettable moment for Chilean sport.”Since coming out, Arcos has enjoyed widespread support, and isn’t afraid of showcasing his gay identity.
His Instagram grid is full of pics featuring him decked out in rainbow regalia. A post shared by Daniel Arcos (@danielarcos9)A post shared by Daniel Arcos (@danielarcos9)A post shared by Daniel Arcos (@danielarcos9)As one of only six male pro basketball players to ever come out during their active careers, Arcos didn’t always think he would be accepted.
In his coming out post, he revealed he considered quitting the sport he loves.Suffice to say, he’s glad he didn’t. “I’m convinced that sport can include us all,” he wrote at the end of his post.Recently, Arcos commemorated his three-year anniversary of coming out with an uplifting message…complete with a fierce outfit!Slay, you basketball mama!“Today for me is another birthday, a different one and one that I will be proud of until the last of my days,” he wrote. “Thank you 26-year-old Daniel for writing that letter, which is still traveling the world and has given you the 3 best years of your life.”A post shared by Daniel Arcos (@danielarcos9)While one out gay athlete is great, two is even better!
