I would consistently use training as an excuse to not date. I dated a few girls, but never anything too serious. Swimming was my outlet, my distraction and my excuse.
On top of everything else I was a competitive swimmer, a sport known for being “more gay” because my uniform was a tiny piece of fabric just large enough to cover “my stuff” and I went to a private, Catholic high school. High school was four years of confusion, depression, anxiety and all other emotions you feel when you’re hiding who you are every day. I was always good at hiding my emotions and pushing my feelings deep inside, so I had no problem hiding that I was gay until high school. A difference that was hard to comprehend because I grew up being taught that men were essentially programmed to marry women and that is how the world works. I always knew there was something different about me from my friends. Growing up in Trabuco Canyon, in Orange County, Calif., going to church on Sunday and having chapel twice a week at my elementary and middle school definitely was a challenge. He went there hoping to swim, but an injury cut short his career.īefore we tell you the story of how two gay swimmers helped each other come out, we want to share some background about each of us. Josh Velasquez attends the University of Arizona.
We wanted to share our stories.Īxel Reed, will graduate this spring from Chapman University in Orange County, Calif., where he was a swimmer.
We don’t know where each of us would be without the other. We came out to each other via text, and our bond and friendship has only grown. If Goodrum is out here striving to be the person in the bodybuilding industry who is most obsessed with other people’s business, he has certainly succeeded.We’re two swimmers and best friends, both in college, who happen to be gay. There are many forums dedicated to bodybuilding gossip that have threads numbering in the hundreds of thousands sadly, Vince Goodrum has yet to make it to that level, since his channel has less than 800 subscribers and falsely claimed Nick Trigili was employed by Generation Iron. Gossip outlets circulate rumors and stir the pot as a way of driving up engagement and user-clicks without having to put in the effort to research, create, and edit a truly informative piece. Goodrum is certainly living up to his name as the signature troll of the bodybuilding and fitness community, though he’s hardly the first. It’s no surprise that with a quick search on google, you are able to find several pages and links. One of the biggest hunting grounds for them has turned out to be dating apps and webcams. While researching for this piece, we spoke with many people under anonymity who were surprised to see how many knew of bodybuilders having gay for pay sex pages online with other men but insisting they were straight. Bodybuilders for years have used alternate means to supplement their bodybuilding careers which at times can be costly with the diminishing sponsorship opportunities and the lack of prize money at shows. Muscle worshiping is prevalent amongst gay men, but it’s also widespread amongst the bodybuilding industry and those who find muscle and getting dominated by an individual arousing. It’s not a secret that homosexual men have paid for sex with bodybuilders. There are also claims of many rich gay men sponsoring bodybuilding events and athletes. We’ve asked several prominent bodybuilders who have shared stories of selling old underwear, to doing muscle worshipping and even receiving offers for sex from males. Goodrum does bring into focus a growing concern in the bodybuilding industry, one that has been motivated by money for decades. That Goodrum would imply that he should not be hired or welcomed in the community because of his sexuality or what he chooses to do in his personal time is a dangerous suggestion. Commenters seemed to notice this, too, frequently pointing out in the mentions under the video that it was not really anyone’s business what Nick Trigili does in his personal time. YouTube is no stranger to obscene and demeaning videos, though Goodrum’s is exceptional for his total lack of relevancy. “I certainly wouldn’t hire him for my company, ever.” “Generation Iron is welcome to have him,” Vince Goodrum continues. “No person should ever do any sexual activities for money,” Vince Goodrum says. Goodrum later pivots from being obsessed with outing Nick Trigili to criticizing sex work and porn as institutions.