‘Inspirational’ Dame Kelly Holmes applauded for coming out as gay aged 52: ‘Proud to call her a role model’
coming out as gay at the age of 52 during Pride month with many expressing their pride in their role model.The two-time gold medal-winning Olympic champion feels like she is ‘finally free’ having shared her sexuality with the world after hiding it for 25 years.Dame Kelly realised she was gay at the age of 17 after kissing a fellow female soldier, and that her family and friends have known since 1997.‘I needed to do this now, for me,’ she stated. ‘It was my decision.
I’m nervous about saying it. I feel like I’m going to explode with excitement.’She continued to the Sunday Mirror: ‘Sometimes I cry with relief.
The moment this comes out, I’m essentially getting rid of that fear.’Dame Kelly admitted she struggled with her mental health because of having to hide her sexuality, and that she had to keep several same-sex relationships she had during her time in the Women’s Royal Army Corps secret, for fear of being court marshalled.Until 2000, it was illegal for gay, lesbian and bisexual people to serve in the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF – and Dame Kelly feared she would still face repercussions for breaking that law during her time in the forces.She contacted a military LGBTQ+ leader in 2020 to find out if she could be sanctioned for breaking Army rules and was told she would not be.‘I felt like I could breathe again, one little call could have saved 28 years of heartache,’ she told the publication.Well done and much respect to Dame Kelly Holmes for coming out as gay after many years.
Brave moveDelighted that Dame Kelly Holmes has come out. So many of us struggle to accept ourselves after growing up in shame – the subject of my book Straight Jacket.
