Australian artistic gymnast Heath Thorpe says growing into his identity meant creating a pathway that wasn’t “already there”.
Thorpe, 21, has been involved in gymnastics for 14 years, representing Australia at world cups and world championships. He says he is one of few openly gay gymnasts, both in Australia and internationally.
Coming to terms with his sexuality meant, at first, facing a stereotype within the sport.
“It has been an interesting pathway … I know when I was growing up that I was met with a lot of comments about gymnastics being for girls, or being for gay people,” Thorpe told SBS News.
“For me to realise my identity was a bit of struggle, because I had almost not wanted to perpetuate a stereotype that I had been told my whole life. So that was an internal struggle in itself.
“And even so now, I am still one of the only openly gay gymanasts on an international level.”
Within the sporting world, he said it has been complicated "creating a pathway that isn't already there".
“It has been quite interesting exploring that and understanding that - especially at a young age,” he said.
"I came out to the media when I was 18 without even necessarily realising the enormity of it. I think it’s just that a lot of firsts are hard to navigate.”
Thorpe is now among 14 athletes coming together as ambassadors for the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) inaugural Thrive with Pride program. He sits alongside gymnast Dominic Clarke, who is also openly gay.
Heath Thorpe pictured in Antwerp, Belgium in November last year. Source: Supplied
Launched on Tuesday, in consultation with national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program Pride in Sport and Proud 2 Play, the program aims to provide safe and inclusive sporting environments for all athletes.
Matti Clements, AIS’ acting chief executive, said the program will equip ambassadors with the knowledge and experience to speak with local sporting environments on LGBTIQ+ awareness, active allyship and inclusivity.
“The program is about raising awareness around the LGBTIQ+ population, and sport being a great vehicle to have those conversations which, to be frank, we haven’t been able to have at all times over the last couple of years,” Ms Clements said.
“I think, historically, some of these conversations haven't been had potentially because people haven't seen others like them. And we know that when people can relate to others, they are more likely to have a conversation about who they are.
“So, a program such as Thrive in Pride creates that conversation.”
Pride in Sport Index co-founder Andrew Purchas said it is extremely supportive of the program and the AIS’ leadership in leveraging high-performance athletes to engage with sporting communities.
Rowie Webster, pictured during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, is also a program ambassador. Source: Sportsfile via Getty Images
“It is extremely powerful to have elite athletes and coaches empowered to talk to their peers about the importance of inclusion,” he said.
“The Thrive with Pride program will encourage respectful, educated and inclusive communication between the participants and Australian sporting communities; building trust, fostering change to provide a safe and inclusive place for athletes to thrive in sport.”
The program ambassadors comprise LGBTIQ+ athletes and allies from across 10 sports, including two-time Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham, former Rugby Sevens captain Sharni Williams and non-binary shot-putter Maria Strong, who made their Paralymbic debate in Tokyo last year.
Also among them is three-time Olympic water polo player Rowie Webster, who says her involvement is all about starting conversations in a safe space.
“I knew for a long time that I was gay, and I certainly didn’t feel all that comfortable coming out - just in the sporting world,” she told SBS News.
“There weren’t many role models that I knew of that were like me.”
With a support network around her, Webster says she was able to realise her authentic self and is now thriving. But she acknowledges many others haven’t had the same experience.
Rowie Webster is pictured at the announcement of the Australian Womens Water Polo Team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Source: AAP
“I think I've been in a privileged position where I have always been in a safe environment, and I haven't had discrimination towards me. But I certainly know of other athletes and people in the greater community who have,” she said.
“So I think that's what our role is now; to try to overcome those barriers and those challenges, and make it more of an accepted thing [conversation] to have.
“We want to start healthy conversations, have a really supportive and safe environment to have those conversations, and also to educate sporting organisations to better support their athletes. And also, I think that will have a real ripple effect into the community."
Thorpe agrees that education is the first step towards progress and equality for queer athletes.
“I think that often, a lot of ignorance or misinformation just comes from misunderstanding. So, people don’t feel comfortable necessarily supporting or engaging with a space they don’t understand,” he said.
“So it’s really important and crucial to educate from a young age, and to educate from the top as well.”
Ultimately, he hopes to encourage young queer athletes to “not walk away” from their sport.
"Sport is a space for everyone, and to me, it's a means for movement and health and community, and no one should ever be denied that," he said.
“I just hope that by putting this program out there, that young queer kids can come to the sport, and it’s a space for them [where] they feel welcome and they can play the sport that they love. It’s as simple as that.”
LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit . also has a list of support services.
