Professional surfer Craig Butler is attempting to make history as the first openly gay competitor in the World Surfing League.
The young Irishman came out to the world last year in the documentary project ‘Out In The Lineup’, which focuses on the stories of LGBT individuals in the surfing world.
“I’m at a place in my life right now that would have made me panic just a couple of years ago,” Butler wrote for surfing publication Inertia.
“Shit, if someone even mentioned the word ‘gay’ around me, I would go red in the face and start to sweat.”
“Maybe if I’d been able to see just how gay people are accepted in the surf community, I wouldn’t have grown up to be the nervous wreck that I am today,” he continues.
LGBT representation has strengthened in the particularly heteronormative realm of sport in recent months, with world champion skier Gus Kenworthy and RFL star Keegan Hirst coming out as gay last year, among others. Butler hopes the trend will continue in his chosen arena.
“You don’t need to paint a rainbow on your board, but at least keep some negative opinions to yourself,” he writes.
“I know having a gay role model in surfing could be a big support for a lot of people.”
Butler has won a number of national titles in Ireland and hopes his skills will take him to the World Longboard Tour. The surfer has established a GoFundMe account to help him raise funds to get to the World Championships.
You can check out Butler’s story and skills in ‘Out In The Lineup‘, available on iTunes and to buy on DVD.
OIP Staff
Sources
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