Tadd Fujikawa Comes Out as First Openly Gay Male Pro Golfer

Tadd Fujikawa, a professional golfer who made history as one of the youngest players on the PGA, announced he is gay on social media, becoming the first openly gay male professional golfer.

“So … I’m gay,” Fujikawa, 27, wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. “Many of you may have already known that. I don’t expect everyone to understand or accept me. But please be gracious enough to not push your beliefs on me or anyone in the LGBTQ community. My hope is this post will inspire each and every one of you to be more empathetic and loving towards one another.”

He admitted he wavered about sharing his truth for some time.

“I’ve been back and forth for a while about opening up about my sexuality. I thought that I didn’t need to come out because it doesn’t matter if anyone knows. But I remember how much others’ stories have helped me in my darkest times to have hope.”

Sept. 10 was World Suicide Prevention Day, and Fujikawa said he hoped his story would help those in pain. He alluded to struggling with anxiety and depression in September 2017.

“I spent way too long pretending, hiding and hating who I was,” he says. “I’ve struggled with my mental health for many years because of that, and it put me in a really bad place. Now I’m standing up for myself and the rest of the LGBTQ community in hopes of being an inspiration and making a difference in someone’s life.”