Gay West Virginia high school soccer player comes out by dancing with homecoming king Michael Martin, an all-state goalie, slow danced with the guy who gave him the courage to be himself. Inspired by Robbie Rogers, Martin now hopes to inspire others.

I never imagined I’d slow dance with another guy.

But that’s what happened one October night with Jem. Though we went to schools in different counties, we met through friends, and I was thrilled when he invited me to his homecoming. Jem wore a gray vest and pink bow tie, while I had a black shirt with a gold tie. We danced to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” and it felt like the perfect moment.

We had originally danced with our female friends, but during the final song, Jem and I shared a slow dance. It was the first time I openly danced with a guy at a school event. I was nervous I had only just started coming out but I also felt excited and seen. Later that night at his house, I asked him to be my boyfriend by writing it on his dry-erase board. He immediately said yes.

Two weeks later, it was my homecoming at Musselman High. Jem came as the guest of a girl who knew we were together. I was on the homecoming court something I never thought would happen. Most people didn’t know I was gay, so when they saw us dance, it surprised many. One slow dance stood out

“Remember When” by Alan Jackson and people told us we looked “so cute.” For once, I felt accepted.

That didn’t last. By the next week, I noticed stares and heard whispers. Friends told me some classmates were saying horrible things about me, including slurs. Thankfully, my real friends defended me.

When I first joined the varsity soccer team as a freshman, I knew I was different. The guys always talked about girls, and homophobic jokes were common. I stayed closeted for fear of ridicule.

I live in conservative Inwood, West Virginia, where my family holds strict religious beliefs. Even as a kid, I knew I liked boys, but I couldn’t tell anyone. I came out to my best friend, Ben, in junior year after soccer season ended. I was terrified, but his support meant everything.

That year, I also quit football to focus on soccer, where I felt safer. My travel coach promoted a zero-tolerance policy for hate, which helped, even though I wasn’t out. I gradually came out to my school team, and while some teased me playfully, I felt they had my back.

Now I’m proud to be an openly gay athlete. I’ve won All-State, Goalkeeper of the Year, MVP, and I’m captain of the swim team. My hero is Robbie Rogers his courage gave me mine. I’m looking forward to college soccer and embracing who I am, on and off the field.