National Coming Out Day celebrated its 25th year as a holiday Thursday, Oct. 11. This day traces back to 1987 when lesbians and gays marched for their rights in Washington, D.C. Since then, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont have allowed same sex marriage.

While people in all walks of life are beginning to come out about their sexuality, I always believed that military personnel and male athletes have had the most trouble publicly revealing that they are gay. Now that it is okay for gays to come out in the military, a number of retired athletes have come out in the past few years – and with the most recent instance being active athlete Orlando Cruz publicly revealing he is gay, I hope other gay active athletes will feel comfortable with their sexuality.

Cruz (18-2-1, 9 KOs), a WBO featherweight Puerto Rican professional boxer, is the first to ever announce that he is gay during his active career. He made it public through a press release and stated that he is a “proud gay man.” In his statement, he also admitted to the Associated Press that he was tired of hiding who he really was.

Cruz has been boxing for more than 24 years and kept this secret for a long time. Cruz should be commended for his courage and for being true to himself. I have read so many articles on how boys and men are being bullied for their sexuality and it is sad to know that people go out of their way to show hate towards them.

I respect Cruz for being proud and for not letting haters get in the way.

“I don’t want to hide any of my identities. I want people to look at me for the human being that I am. I am a professional sportsman that always brings his best to the ring,” said Cruz. “I want for people to continue to see me for my boxing skills, my character, my sportsmanship.”

Boxing is boxing. I am glad that Cruz came out and said these words because his sexuality should not affect who he is as an athlete. He is great in his athletic career and that is what should matter – his personal preferences should not be a factor that defines him as an athlete. Cruz has represented Puerto Rico in the World Cup, Olympics, Pan American Games, and Central American Games.

There are still no athletes in MLB, NHL, NFL, or the NBA that have come out in their active careers. Perhaps there are no athletes that are gay in any of those four major sports. Who knows? But if there are, I think current gay athletes should take a look at how courageous Cruz was and follow in his footsteps.

People should not be ashamed of who they really are. Some may not accept you but that happens in everyday life. Life goes on. People should not have to shove their feelings in a bottle – they should live in the moment, find peace in who they are and live with it.

“Living with all that stress and that depression, all you deal with as a closeted person, when you come out you really truly free yourself. When I came out, it felt like I was getting out of prison,” former NFL defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo told the Associated Press.

It is good to see former athletes come out, but it is sad that they felt forced to keep it a secret during their careers.

Similar to Tuaolo, Cruz also shared that he feels relieved, has developed both physically and mentally, and took a big step in his life and profession. His focus on coming out was also aimed at the younger community who go through struggles of their own.

“I also want kids who suffer from bullying to know that you can be whoever you want to be in life, including a professional boxer, that anything is possible and that who you are or whom you love should not be impediment to achieving anything in life,” said Cruz. “I am and will always be a proud Puerto Rican gay man.”

To me, Cruz is a winner. He is masculine, emotional, brave and an inspiration. You go boy!

Cruz will be fighting Oct. 19 at Kissimmee, Fla. against Jorge Pazos.