US Ambassador to Australia John Berry spoke to SBS about Ian Thorpe's revelations and the pressure young gay people face when they 'come out'.
Ambassador Berry is the highest-ranking openly gay official in the US administration and the first openly gay US ambassador to serve in a G20 nation.
He says he is not surprised that a such a high profile person like Ian Thorpe has struggled so much with publically expressing his sexuality.
"This is a struggle every LGBT person around the world goes through," he told SBS.
"Some [of those struggling are] under the public scrutiny and public limelight, but many are just within their quiet battle."
"It took real courage to do this."
Ian Thorpe, Australia's most decorated Olympian, revealed he was gay in an emotional television interview on Sunday, ending years of speculation about the champion swimmer's sexuality.
Ambassador Berry said being gay is more accepted now in both the US and Australia, but added that the pressure on people who have not come out is getting worse because of social media.
"There are stereotypes and there are prejudices that are long standing and are informally enforced,” he said.
“It's one thing to be called names on the school ground. But it's another when you're online and hundreds of children can attack you and bully you for who you are."
The ambassador is also involved with the It Gets Better project which aims to support gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world.
Share
