A 23-year-old hockey player shared his story about being openly gay. He talked about how his teammates act in the locker room.

The player said his teammates often joke around in gay ways. He finds this funny because he is actually gay on the team.

Coming out was not easy for the young athlete. He first told four close friends about being gay.

The hockey player said humor helped him feel comfortable with teams. Making jokes and being relaxed made it easier to fit in.

Many gay athletes worry about coming out to teammates. They fear rejection or being treated differently in sports.

But this player's experience shows teammates can be accepting. His team members treat him normally and include him in jokes.

The locker room is often seen as tough for LGBTQ+ athletes. But this player found his teammates were supportive and welcoming.

He believes being open about his sexuality made things easier. Other players knew who he was and acted naturally around him.

Professional sports are slowly becoming more welcoming to LGBTQ+ athletes. More players are coming out and sharing their stories publicly.

This hockey player's story may help other young gay athletes. It shows that being open can lead to team acceptance.

The player continues to compete at a high level. His sexuality has not hurt his career or player relationships.