ABOVE: Luke Strong (Photo courtesy Luke Strong’s Twitter.)
Luke Strong, a record-setting trampoline gymnast from the U.K., has come out as bisexual in a recent interview.
In an appearance on the BBC program “The LGBT Sport Podcast,” the 26-year-old athlete revealed that while this is the first time he’s publicly acknowledged his sexuality, he’s always been open about his queerness in his personal life.
“I’ve never hidden anything and I’m really open about the fact that I’m attracted to both sexes, male and female, but I’ve never been in a relationship with either of them so I don’t know,” Strong said.
Strong shared that when he was younger that he was the subject of homophobic bullying from his peers, due to his involvement in gymnastics. Having to wear a leotard and engage in flexible movements, such as “doing the splits,” were perceived as femininities and formed the basis of the ridicule he received.
“You get the typical ‘you’re a fairy’ and the gay jokes and ‘gymnastics is a girls’ sport,’” he said. “I had that growing up in school and then especially in high school it got a lot worse … I think like most people in the LGBT+ community, growing up is always a little bit difficult.”
While this period of his life may have had its challenges, Strong said that the mistreatment from his peers didn’t deter him from embracing his sexuality because he dedicated much of his time and energy to developing his athleticism.
“Back then, I honestly didn’t think about sexuality or know sexuality,” Strong said. “I didn’t ever think about boys, I didn’t think about girls. It just wasn’t what I cared about. I just loved doing sports and … that’s all I ever thought about.”
Strong said that one of the first people he came out to was his gymnast coach, who asked him about his sexuality one day.
“I remember just crying and I didn’t really know why,” he said. “That was the first person I really expressed my sexuality to.”
While Strong fully accepts his queerness, he said he prefers to disclose his sexuality in a more low-key way.
“I never felt the need to do the big coming-out party that … people think [LGBTQ people] do,” Strong said. “People ask me and I’ll tell them and I’m completely comfortable with who I am. If people want to know, then I’ll explain it.”
Strong said that within the world of gymnastics his fellow athletes have been supportive but that on occasion people on social media can be unkind.
“It’s always been fine within the sport, people are pretty understanding,” Strong said. “On social media, you get your trolls every now and again, with homophobic abuse on comments or personal messages sometimes.”
However, he also said that he’s at a point in his life where this type of commentary doesn’t affect him emotionally.
“I honestly don’t even think about that ever,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me: I feel sorry for people like that who are close-minded and still think its offensive to be called gay because it’s not.”
Strong is a five-time British champion and has garnered multiple accolades. He won gold medals in 2011 and 2015 at the British Championships and also appeared at the 2011 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he won a silver medal alongside fellow trampoline gymnast Nathan Bailey.
In 2014, he won a bronze medal at the European Championships, earning him the distinction of being the first British male senior trampoline gymnast to take home a medal at the event in the last 32 years.
To listen to Strong’s full interview on “The LGBT Sport Podcast,” click here.
