"All the pain and all the isolation I have felt — it was all worth it for a moment like this."

Last year, runner and steeplechaser Emma Gee made history when she became the first openly out LGBTQ+ athlete at Utah's Brigham Young University — the university owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On this episode, Emma powerfully and honestly shares her story. She talks about growing up in a religious family — she's one of five children — in Colorado, and explains why she decided to attend BYU. She explains the school's honor code and how it affected her as a bisexual student on campus. And she shares her coming out story, including what it was like to be the first D1 athlete in BYU's 143-year history to be publicly out, and what it was like coming out to her friends, her teammates, her coach, and her family.

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What you'll get on this episode:

• Emma talks about growing up in Colorado as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (7:20)
• All about the Brigham Young University Honor Code (9:30)
• Emma talks about exploring her sexuality and the realization that she was bisexual (11:50)
• Emma shares her coming out story (17:30)
• The impact coming out had on Emma's running (23:00)
• Emma talks about coming out to her family and to her coach and teammates (24:30)
• On sharing her story for Out Sports (31:55)
• How Emma's bishop reacted to her coming out (41:00)
• All about that kissing photo (50:00)
• Emma talks about her book! (57:15)

What we mention on this episode:

Nikki Hiltz on Episode 294 of the Ali on the Run Show

Nikki Hiltz on Episode 188 of the Ali on the Run Show

Nikki Hiltz on Episode 170 of the Ali on the Run Show

"I am the only out LGBTQ athlete at BYU," by Emma Gee for OutSports

Myers-Briggs personality test

Common Ground

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• Instagram @emma_gee1777

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