Squash Community Supports Harrity, The First Openly Gay Male Pro Squash Player

Todd Harrity

The squash world has lent its support to men's United States No.1 Todd Harrity after he became the first male professional squash player to openly identify himself as gay.

Speaking in a statement via Twitter, World No.54 Harrity said:

To everyone I know and to all who know me.

I have something that I am finally ready to get off my chest.

I am gay, and I’m ready to live my life as an openly gay man. I have decided to come out because I am convinced that having everyone know this about me is the only way I can truly be content. I also think it is best for everyone around me, so that we can more fully understand each other.

To the people I have already told, thank you. I was not ready to have everyone know this about me. I appreciate you keeping my secret, and not telling any curious people who might have asked you.

To the Pro Squash world,

We are a diverse group of different nationalities, ethnicities, and faiths. I don’t know how this will be received by everyone. But I have been dealing with this for a long time. This is what’s necessary for me to be myself, and best enjoy the rest of my time on the circuit, and beyond.

Lastly, I am not famous. But if I can be a source of inspiration to any others in a similar situation, I am pleased. This has not been easy for me. It has taken me a long time to accept myself as I am. But now I have, and am ready to put all of this behind me and move on with my life.

Todd Harrity

The PSA would like to offer their support to Todd at this time – the squash world is a diverse place and no matter what creed, race, sexual preference or anything else, we should all welcome and accept each other.

Harrity's fellow players on the PSA World Tour have also come out in support of the American:

Love you so much toddharrity</a> You know I will always support you no matter what & I am so proud of you for coming out. This takes so much courage to do. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LoveWins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LoveWins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BestFriend?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BestFriend</a> <a href="https://t.co/eGKBj8DFEI">https://t.co/eGKBj8DFEI</a>— Amanda Sobhy (itssobhytime) April 28, 2018

One day this won’t have to be such a big headline and toddharrity</a> has taken us another step closer to that. Unprecedented in squash, and it will be an inspiring message for so many <a href="https://t.co/lmBNoL5CtJ">https://t.co/lmBNoL5CtJ</a>— James Willstrop (james_willstrop) April 30, 2018

Love is Love is Love Massive respect toddharrity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LoveWins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LoveWins</a> <a href="https://t.co/LDc52HNOAS">https://t.co/LDc52HNOAS</a>— Sarah-Jane Perry (SJPerry15) April 28, 2018

pic.twitter.com/mmAiuLqG0Y
— Todd Harrity (@toddharrity) April 28, 2018

Aw, Todd, so pleased for you. Well done and I’m sure you will and already are an inspiration to others being such a lovely guy. Go live your life to the full now, it’s the best thing ever!!
— Jenny Duncalf (@JennyDuncalf) April 29, 2018

— Joshna Chinappa (@joshnachinappa) April 28, 2018

"Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place."
Thanks toddharrity</a> <a href="https://t.co/p4WfK13L3Q">https://t.co/p4WfK13L3Q</a>— Lucas Serme (LucasSerme) April 30, 2018

Good on you mate!
— Joe Green (@Joegreen46) April 28, 2018

We all admire your bravery and honesty toddharrity</a> . Great person and doesn’t change anything. Be yourself and enjoy your life. PS I’m always here to give you a chopping in the cross-court game! <a href="https://t.co/Ml35qrFYjU">https://t.co/Ml35qrFYjU</a>— Sean Conroy (SConroy001) April 29, 2018

Sending love from the SquashSkills team
— SquashSkills (@SquashSkills) April 30, 2018

This is a powerfully significant milestone for squash: our first male professional to publicly come out as gay. Jenny Duncalf & Rachael Grinham last year and now Todd Harrity: national champion, top sixty tour player on the upswing of his career and today a pioneer.
— James Zug (@squashword) April 29, 2018

Well said Sobhs and good on you Todd. Nothing more important than being who you are. The squash world stands with you #LoveWins
— Emma Charlton (@Emma_Beddoes) April 28, 2018