USA Volleyball's Erik Shoji comes out as queer
USA Volleyball team captain and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Erik Shoji last Saturday came out as queer.
According to the UN Girls' Education Initiative website, ''queer' is an umbrella term that is commonly used to refer to or describe people who are not heterosexual or are not cisgender. Further, 'queer' is also used to refer to approaches that oppose heteronormative ways of thinking and being.'
In a video on Shoji's social media account, the libero said it took a long time before the Hawaii native accepted it.
'I am here to tell the world today that I am queer. It feels scary but freeing at the same time,' Shoji said.
'I think personal acceptance takes a while. For me, it took a long time and I'm working through that still every day, but I think I'm stronger, more confident, and more sure of myself than I've ever been, and I feel that given who I am and the platform that I have that this is my moment and I'm so excited to move forward after this.'
Shoji said that by coming out, the three-time Olympian hopes to be a role model and is now more excited to know 'where life is going to take me and who I am and what I can bring to my family, my team, my friends, and those around me.'
The libero also hopes to 'inspire people to be themselves and to be personable, be kind, be nice, and to love life.'
'Part of me hopes that the world keeps spinning, the volleyball community stays amazing and accepting and growing. I feel so good saying what I'm saying and I know that I'm genuine in what I'm saying and I believe in myself and I believe in others and I believe that life will keep going and it'll be great and my friends will be there, my family will be there, my team will be there, and I'm gonna continue to be myself and I'm so excited for that.'
USA Volleyball's social media account, meanwhile, said it is proud of Shoji.
"Proud of you, Erik. Your courage, authenticity, and leadership on and off the court continues to inspire us all! Thank you for being you. We're honored to stand with you, always."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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