News

LPGA Tour pro Mel Reid comes out as gay, calls for openness and inclusivity in golf

Published

7 years ago

Dec 11, 2018

LPGA and LET professional Mel Reid has discussed her decision to openly come out as gay, citing a “fight for equality” as one of the reasons behind her public revelation.

Reid made the admission to Athlete Ally, an organization which advocates equal access, opportunity, and inclusion in sports. In the Q&A with Athlete Ally on Monday, the six-time LET winner spoke about the issues that she has faced in her career, including the fact that homosexuality is illegal in certain countries that the Tour visits.

“The Tour is a very welcoming community and it’s rare that anyone has an issue with sexuality or openly express any issues. The only problem we run into is that being gay is still illegal or frowned upon in certain countries we play in.”

The LET had previously held their season finale in the UAE, a country where homosexuality is a crime. In 2018 the event was moved to Morocco where homosexuality is also illegal and can be punished with anything from 6 months to 3 years imprisonment.

On the European Tour, there are currently three events held in Dubai, and one in Qatar, where homosexuality is also illegal. The Tour revealed this year that Saudi Arabia would be hosting a new tournament in 2019, a move which has courted plenty of controversy due to the countries number of human rights issues.

The 31-year-old also commented on her consciousness of a particular “culture around the sport,” which has prevented her from being open about her sexuality in the past.

“There are also a lot of male-dominated sponsors that are looking for certain types of players, so that’s why I have felt I can’t be quite as open as I would like to be when it comes to my personal life.

“The only issues I have had is when I have taken my girlfriend with me to dinners or awards, and I’m very conscious how I introduce her depending on the environment I’m in, because of the culture around the sport and the assumption that the sponsors would want to keep that part of my life quiet.”

As an Athlete Ally ambassador, Reid hopes that she can make the sport more open and inclusive, stressing how important it is to her “to always fight for equality.” While the Englishwoman also encouraged others struggling with their identity to be open and proud of who they are.

“I protected my sexuality for a long time because I thought I had to in order to help my career and to get more sponsors. But then I started to wonder why these companies would want to sponsor me and have me represent them if I can’t be my authentic self. There is only one of you in the world and you have one life, so be the best version of yourself and be proud of who you are.”

Reid is the second golf professional to come out as gay in recent months. In September, Tadd Fujikawa became the first male pro to do so.

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14 Comments

Dave

Dec 20, 2018 at 8:38 pm

She’s calling for much more than openness in golf. She wants other countries/cultures to change. That’s a tall order. She should be able to be who she is where the tour takes her. And, I don’t blame her. Women are very nice…

Reply Report comment
Ted

Dec 17, 2018 at 3:15 pm

I just want to see great golf. Swing how you like.

Reply Report comment
A. Commoner

Dec 15, 2018 at 8:38 pm

Same old claptrap over and over. Today it seems as though ‘self disclosure’ is regarded as a great virtue by those doing the yapping. The motivation/causation behind this public ‘revealing behavior’ is not something one is encouraged to discuss. Suffice it to say many people are tired of it.

Reply Report comment
CaoNiMa

Dec 13, 2018 at 2:15 am

Phew I thought this was going to be about equality of Tour purses, and I’m glad it’s not, because I was going to say that she is totally deluded if that’s what she wants, when hardly anybody shows up to the LPGA events, how does she expect any purses to go up when the admission receipts at the ladies events can’t even make up for the cost of putting up the events at many of them. the sponsors aren’t going to shell out more for the poor return

Reply Report comment
- Dave
  
  Dec 20, 2018 at 8:31 pm
  
  Uh…well, it wasn’t about that, so…(?)
  
  Reply Report comment
Bert Gwaltney

Dec 12, 2018 at 7:51 pm

It’s OK, it’s her choice, not sure of her reasoning, but I do have a question. Will she play in events that are held in these countries? Even take her girlfriend to dinner there? I hope not.

Of course Rory had no problems in supporting tournaments in Dubai, will the European Tour continue to hold events in countries that are so discriminatory? Yes, of course they will, follow the money.

Reply Report comment
Speedy

Dec 12, 2018 at 5:41 pm

Good on Mel. Maybe more active players in all professional sports will feel secure enough to follow her lead.

Reply Report comment
DB

Dec 12, 2018 at 1:30 pm

LOL at “I protected my sexuality for a long time because I thought I had to in order to help my career and to get more sponsors.”

Does she live in the modern world? Has she ever seen commercials before? Major corporations are fully on board with the poz and they will happily plaster her all over commercials to signal just how woke and virtuous they are.

Reply Report comment
Jamie

Dec 12, 2018 at 11:24 am

The British multitiered system of libtardation enabling false paradigms. Screw the “fight for equality” myth. This has nothing to do with equality. This is a publicity stunt. In September 2015, Reid told ESPN that her life “was a mess … I wasn’t coping, I was rebelling. I was spending time with people who partied. I was hitting the self-destruct button. I was with a lot of people, but I was lonely”. So glad to be an American where we have equal protection under the law and freedom of association.

Reply Report comment
Scheiss

Dec 12, 2018 at 11:10 am

Well this was no surprise.

Reply Report comment
Johnny Penso

Dec 12, 2018 at 10:28 am

In the west nobody really cares. The Middle East is stuck in the dark ages, well the Arab countries at least, Israel is no problem.

Reply Report comment
- Gun Violent
  
  Dec 12, 2018 at 11:02 am
  
  Racist.
  
  https://www.reddit.com/r/badhistory/comments/1apq4m/the_hole_left_by_the_christian_dark_ages_graph/
  
  Reply Report comment
Gunter Eisenberg

Dec 12, 2018 at 9:47 am

You know when society has accepted equality and rights for gay people when nobody cares when they come out of the closet.

Reply Report comment
- Jamie
  
  Dec 12, 2018 at 11:34 am
  
  Screw special rights for anyone. In America we have equal protection laws and freedom of association. Now in dark ages places like England with dark ages institutions like royalty, I have no idea and don’t really care.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Published

3 days ago

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Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

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The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

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Niemann’s Suitcase