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Gay Zim Olympic swimmer says no negative experienc...

Gay Zim Olympic swimmer says no negative experience since he came out

Zim Now Writer

South Africa-based Zimbabwean Olympic swimmer Sean Gunn, 30, who publicly declared that he is gay in an interview with Outsports says although it took him a while to come out to family and friends at home, he has not received any rejection.

“Unfortunately, I only came out to my family and people back at home much later in life. Although I haven’t had one bad experience since coming out, I guess I just struggled with it for way too long,” he said.

“As someone who did struggle with coming out and only did come out at 27 to my family, it makes me so happy to be surrounded by friends and family and so much love, and am really grateful for them all.”

Gunn, who was both the 100 and 200-metre freestyle national record holder, represented Zimbabwe in the men’s 100-metre freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. He placed 48th with a personal record of 50.87 seconds.

Speaking to Outsports, Gunn said he first revealed his changed sexual orientation to teammates and friends at the University of Kentucky where he went to study after schooling in Zimbabwe.

“Initially, I was not out at all. I dated girls for the first few years. I had some really great relationships with girls over the years and really loved them. Obviously, over time that changed and I started dating guys later on. But my team, and everyone who did know, was very supportive and happy for me.”

He says contrary to his fears, no one had any problem with his sex life.

 “I think in my head I built it up for so long, and I was terrified that the way they acted or treated me would be different. But I was really lucky that everyone was so amazing and wanted me to be the happiest version of myself,” he said.

Eventually, he also came out to family and friends in Zimbabwe and received the same warm acceptance.

Gunn is currently living in Cape Town with his boyfriend.

 

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