07:00, 19 February 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
Heated Rivalry is one of the hottest shows right now – and we mean that in more ways than one. This steamy six-part series has taken the internet by storm, but beneath the lingering glances and on-ice tension is a conversation that desperately needs space in professional sport: why are openly gay male athletes still such a rarity?
Set in the high-pressure world of ice hockey, Heated Rivalry explores the emotional cost of secrecy, rivalry and fear in a traditionally hyper-masculine environment. And its impact hasn’t stayed fictional.
Since the show’s release, real-life ice hockey player Jesse Korteum has credited the series with helping him come out as gay, proving that representation on screen can genuinely change lives off it.
Here are some of the athletes – past and present – who have helped push sport towards a more inclusive future.
Tom Daley came out in 2013 and quickly became one of the UK’s most prominent LGBTQIA+ sports figures. Since retiring from competitive diving, he has continued to advocate for inclusivity, using his platform to normalise queer identity in elite sport – while also becoming a national treasure in the process.
In 2021, Carl Nassib made history as the first active NFL player to come out as gay. In a league known for its rigid ideas of masculinity, his announcement was a seismic moment that challenged long-held assumptions about who belongs in professional American football.
Jason Collins became the first openly gay athlete to play in a major North American professional sports league when he came out during his NBA career in 2014. His decision marked a turning point for visibility in men’s team sports with him explaining that to be a truly great leader, he had to be the change he wanted to see on and off the court.
When Australian Footballer, Josh Cavallo came out in 2021, he became the first male professional footballer to do so while still actively playing. His honesty sparked global conversation and highlighted how far football still has to go – you can hear more about his experience on We Need To Talk on YouTube.
Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy came out in 2015 and has since been one of the most visible LGBTQIA+ athletes in winter sports. Beyond competition, he’s been outspoken about human rights issues, proving that athletes can be activists too. He has been captured many times attending pride events and speaking openly about his sexuality.
Long before these conversations were mainstream, John Amaechi came out in 2007, a few years after retiring, as the first former NBA player to do so. His courage laid vital groundwork for the athletes who followed, often without the support systems that exist today. After leaving the sport and becoming a psychologist, he has used his platform to be an advocate to other LGBTQIA+ sportspeople, and was awarded an OBE in 2011.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Pride Sports. This is a UK LGBTQIA+ charity that aims to combat discrimination in sport and highlight inclusion. Learn more here.
Stonewall. Their rainbow laces campaign highlights visible belonging across sport and to support LGBT+ inclusion in sport. Discover their work here.
Football v Homophobia. This is an international initiative to ensure football is safe and welcoming, with a Month of Action in February. Find out more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Reduced Inequalities.
