From Struggle to Self-Acceptance
British 400-meter hurdler Seamus Derbyshire has found both freedom and success in embracing his authentic self. Speaking exclusively to Outsports, the 25-year-old athlete shared that fully leaning into his flamboyant side and embracing his identity as a gay man has transformed his athletic performance. By showing up as his whole self on the track, Derbyshire not only unlocked peak performance but also the joy of competition that once felt out of reach.
This journey of acceptance has carried him all the way to his first World Athletics Championships, where he’ll represent Team GB. His decision to merge his personal identity with his athletic persona has given him newfound confidence, ensuring he enters the competition at Tokyo’s National Stadium with pride and authenticity.
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Breaking Records and Barriers
Derbyshire’s season has been nothing short of remarkable. In June, he achieved a personal best of 48.42 seconds in Geneva, surpassing the World Championships qualifying standard and placing him among the six fastest British hurdlers of all time. This performance, combined with a strong showing at UK nationals, secured his spot on the British team.
Off the track, his visibility has also grown thanks to TikTok videos that showcased both his “flamboyant” personality and candid reflections on being queer. While the response has been overwhelmingly positive, he acknowledges encountering some negativity online a reminder of lingering homophobia in sports spaces. Instead of discouraging him, these challenges have strengthened his resolve to remain visible and authentic.
@powerof10.uk “I am queer, I’m proud of my identity and I want to share that with the track world” @seamus opens up about why he shares his personality with the world 🏳️🌈 #running #athletics #britishathletics #trackandfield #trackandfieldtiktoks ♬ original sound – powerof10.uk
Redefining Sports and Identity
Derbyshire’s story is more than just about athletic success, it’s about redefining what it means to thrive as an openly queer man in a traditionally masculine space. He recalls the struggles of navigating “hypermasculine” sports environments in his youth, but now proudly embraces his queer and feminine traits. Support from family, friends, and teammates has allowed him to flourish without needing a “coming-out” moment.
Today, Derbyshire takes pride in joining a growing wave of LGBTQ representation in athletics alongside athletes like Nico Young, Yared Nuguse, and Trey Cunningham. His presence on the world stage shows young queer athletes everywhere that identity and excellence can coexist powerfully. “If I can inspire even one person to feel proud of who they are,” he says, “then that’s a privilege.”
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