Tom Luchsinger, the UNC Tar Heels swimming star and 2013 National Champion in 200 butterfly, was not being true to himself. It was affecting his swimming and his life. In December 2014 the NBAC swimmer officially came out as a gay elite athlete in an essay published on Out Magazine. Read it here.
SwimSwam caught up with Luchsinger at the 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series and asked him to share his testimonial on-camera.
I have an announcement too; please listen. Just wanted to let everyone know that I am only attracted to women of Asian and African descent between the height of 5’1″ and 5’5″ that are professional volleyball players. For years I would beat myself up and say, “Why can’t I just be normal.” NO MORE! It’s time to come out and let everyone know the true me!! Thank you for listening; it feels so good to get this off my chest *wipes tears from eyes*. If there is anyone out there like me, know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Feel free to contact me and perhaps we can form a support group.
Seriously folks, your sexual preference should be your… Read more »
Tell that to young gay/bi men who are 7 times more likely to attempt suicide than straight men. Or the 50% of gay men between 16-25 who have been treated for mental health Issues as a result of their sexuality?
1 in 2 young gay men going through such mental torture over their sexuality that they need professional help. But oh, all Easyspeed cares about is that once in a while one of these men will get past their fears, self-loathing and problems. Then after all that, they’ll bombard him with a fact that will be an oh so mighty burden on him, they’re gay. What a disgustingly selfish outlook.
As for your little ‘story’. If that is a joke,… Read more »
Congrats to Tom! But let’s be real here… this is 2015. Aye USA, you need to catch up to all of them European countries on gay rights!
Just became a huge fan of Tom and the UNC swim team. Great story that needed to be shared.
Tom – Way to be a leader and role model! As an athlete your individual success will bring you, your own triumphs and low’s, but none of those events will never determine who you are as a person.I am not sure why this is even a big deal…
Tom, you are truly a swimming superstar. Your family and friends are so very fortunate.
Bobo – how many gay people do you think are employed by 21st Century Fox film & television?
But really you & your tribe think that Rupert Murdoch is responsible for the views of everyone you disagree with?
That is a mighty compliment for a man who inherited a local Adelaide newspaper at 32 & turned it into a megapolis . Pretty astute and so far all his descendants have avoided being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army .
I say – well done chap .
Referencing the SLA and, by association, the Hearst family while posting about Rupert Murdoch is the bomb!! Very well played, Gina Rhinestone! Very well played, indeed!
And good on this young man. Somewhat sad that it – coming out – is still a story but it still is. It takes some courage and in doing what he’s done, he will make it easier for the next person who does.
I also have to note that I think it’s pretty cool – and so very, wonderfully, typical of the swimming community – that so many of the posts here are along the lines of “Yeah, yeah… Weight’s off his shoulders, hopefully he’ll swim faster”.
come on. the story isn’t even about fox news and crap. lets stay on subject, don’t start off on his tangent. your better than that.
Just read his Outsports article and it broke my heart. Yes it is 2015 and ‘no one should care’, but the fact is that stigma still remains and there are far too many kids who deal with the destructive internal dialogue that Tom shared in his story because of it. I am just so glad that he took the steps to lift the weight himself, because he realized it was preventing him from moving forward to reach his ultimate goals. A lot of people never make that connection or get that far. Good for him!
I agree with Swammer: It may not seem like a big deal to today’s younger generations, but the influence of previous generations still exists, and, this may be surprising, but as far back as I can remember, I think Luchsinger could be the very first current/recent US National Team member to openly discuss his gay sexual orientation with the national/mainstream media while currently still swimming. There have been more than a few who did it after retiring, and it’s possible there may have been a couple previously that I don’t remember, but regardless, sadly, it’s still a very rare event. While I agree it probably seems irrelevant to most of you on a day-to-day basis, and that’s probably a good… Read more »
Tom – wait to go, man! Think of all the other young athletes that your helping out by doing this. You rock man. Now, get back in the pool and swim fast 😉 !