Pro Hockey Player Zach Sullivan Comes Out as Bisexual

He took his league’s first-ever Pride Weekend to make the announcement.

Mikelle Street

Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.

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Mikelle Street

January 27 2020 11:21 AM EST

MikelleStreet

On Sunday pro ice hockey player Zach Sullivan came out as bisexual on social media.

"With this being the first ever EIHL #PrideWeekend I feel now is the best time to speak about what I have known for many years," he wrote to Twitter. Sullivan is a part of the Elite Ice Hockey League. "I have battled with mental health problems over this issue and with the support, understanding, and acceptance from my family, friends, and teammates, I finally feel ready to say; I'm bisexual. I have never been more proud to wear a jersey before, especially one that celebrates all gender identities and sexualities."

In a photo alongside the announcement, Sullivan wore a special edition jersey with two teammates, depicting the rainbow flag.

\u201c#PrideWeekend #ICanPlay #YouCanPlay @officialEIHL @Mcr_Storm\u201d
— Zach Sullivan (@Zach Sullivan) 1580032857

Sullivan plays for Manchester Storm and is the first person in the league to ever come out. He is also believed to be the first professional ice hockey player to come out as bisexual according to the BBC.

The athlete hopes that he will be able to inspire others.

His team supported the announcement.

"We are all extremely proud of you, Zach!" Manchester Storm wrote to Twitter. "You're a role model for so many people, young and old, in the sporting world. Someone knowing they can be themselves is a true testament to everything our club and sport stand for."