Today, Bree Horrocks becomes the first publicly open major sport athlete at Purdue.
She, along with Stephanie White, Dorien Bryant and others will speak at "Championing Equity," a LGBTQ event on Purdue's campus on Monday night. Although Horrocks, a 19-year-old freshman, has been out to close family, friends and teammates, today marked the first day she's spoken publicly.
When Horrocks was asked to be part of Monday's event, she weighed the good and bad, before ultimately deciding that it was best to speak. She didn't know that she'd become the first publicly out revenue sport athlete at Purdue, nor one of only a few, if that, active players nationally.
"I didn't consider it, nor did I know it, that I am the first revenue sport player to come out," she said. "This is some that transcends that. It's way more important than having that title. I'm glad I'm the first, (but) I'm not glad. I'm sad because there are other people out there who could have been the first. There are a lot more people who could have been out right now and been happy. And just completely being themselves to everyone, but I'm the first. I'm glad I can be somewhat of a trailblazer."
The event is at 6 p.m. Monday in Fowler Hall.
She, along with Stephanie White, Dorien Bryant and others will speak at "Championing Equity," a LGBTQ event on Purdue's campus on Monday night. Although Horrocks, a 19-year-old freshman, has been out to close family, friends and teammates, today marked the first day she's spoken publicly.
When Horrocks was asked to be part of Monday's event, she weighed the good and bad, before ultimately deciding that it was best to speak. She didn't know that she'd become the first publicly out revenue sport athlete at Purdue, nor one of only a few, if that, active players nationally.
"I didn't consider it, nor did I know it, that I am the first revenue sport player to come out," she said. "This is some that transcends that. It's way more important than having that title. I'm glad I'm the first, (but) I'm not glad. I'm sad because there are other people out there who could have been the first. There are a lot more people who could have been out right now and been happy. And just completely being themselves to everyone, but I'm the first. I'm glad I can be somewhat of a trailblazer."
The event is at 6 p.m. Monday in Fowler Hall.
