Queer Athletes in 2025: Breaking Barriers in Sports
WWE Star Tegan Nox Comes Out as Lesbian
In a powerful moment of visibility for LGBTQ+ athletes, WWE star Tegan Nox publicly came out as a lesbian and introduced her girlfriend to fans through an Instagram post. Sharing a picture of the two at Universal Studios, smiling outside the Hogwarts castle, Nox captioned the moment with the words “Life is good” accompanied by rainbow and heart emojis.
The post quickly went viral, drawing an outpouring of love and support from both fans and fellow WWE stars, many of whom responded with heart and clapping emojis. One fan wrote: “This makes me so happy. Love is good. And seeing this made me happy.”
Finding the Right Time
In a candid interview, Nox reflected on her journey, saying:
“My life has always been a don’t ask, don’t tell situation, but I felt like it was the right time. Especially when you’ve found the right one you’re in love with. It was the right time to do that.”
She revealed that her family already knew, but she wanted to be open with her fans, many of whom she says have responded with warmth, positivity, and encouragement.
Community Support in Wrestling
Nox also shared that fellow WWE wrestler Sonya Deville, who is openly queer, played a key role in helping her through the process.
“I actually talked to Sonya before I even did this. She was a big, big help. She gave me her phone number and told me to text her if I needed anything. We keep in contact quite a lot about it. She’s a massive help with the fans, because my family knew but my fans didn’t. So, she helped me bring it out to the public.”
Deville has long been an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in wrestling, and her mentorship highlights the importance of queer solidarity within sports industries that are still learning to embrace diversity.
A Bigger Picture: Queer Athletes in 2025
Tegan Nox’s coming out is part of a growing wave of athletes across the globe who are using their platforms to champion authenticity and representation. From wrestling to football, cricket to athletics, 2025 has become a landmark year where more queer athletes than ever before are publicly owning their identities.
By sharing her story, Nox not only inspires her fans but also sends a powerful message: queer athletes belong in every arenaon the mat, in the ring, and beyond.
