Jon Holmes
Verified
(He/Him)
- Journalist and Writer, Freelance
- Contributor Writer, Sports Journalists’ Association
- Founder and Network Lead, Sports Media LGBT+
- Editor, Q.Digital
London
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Sports, specialising in football, often with a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, and within that, LGBTQ+ inclusion
Journalist, editor, consultant: @Outsports @SportsMediaLGBT @FvHtweets 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ | 📧 jon@sportsmedialgbt.com | @SportSJA @TheOfficialFWA (he/him)
Articles by Jon Holmes
Gay sports bar owner and new dad Jonathan Cottrell runs for West Hollywood City Council
Jonathan Cottrell is a busy man. With his husband, Los Angeles Dodgers executive Erik Braverman, they recently welcomed a baby boy to the family. He’s coming up on his one-year anniversary as a senior software engineer at Disney, working on ESPN products. Two years ago, he became part of the ownership group of Gym Bar WeHo, along with Braverman and others. Now he is running for one of the three open seats on the West Hollywood City Council. Bring it on, he says.
Trans girls’ place in school sports is on the ballot in 4 states. The stakes are personal.
For 19-year-old Gisella Gonzales, a trans woman and college freshman at Edmonds College in Washington, her high school volleyball team was a piece of her coming of age as much as a sport she just loved to play. “Sports was a home. It was a lifeline,” she told Outsports. “Nothing was better than playing on a team. Having that community, and having that team have your back.
Trans runner’s midseason switch from boys to girls sparks outrage. The athlete isn’t the problem.
High school trans athlete Logan Mihailoff in Washington has become the latest center of the national conversation about trans girls in girls sports. This story has a particular element that makes it unique and has given anti-trans-athlete advocates plenty to talk about. It also raises questions not just about whether trans girls are included in girls sports, but the policies that create opportunities for them. What makes this trans-athlete story different from the ones before it?
Gay Japanese volleyball pro reveals his star brother’s surprising reaction to coming out
When he decided to make history as the first Japanese pro sportsman to come out as gay, Rui Takahashi was ready for almost anything — including the end of his volleyball career. However, he has instead been met with overwhelmingly positive support in the last month from his teammates, his club and fans from across the world. It’s a coming-out journey that began with a refreshingly casual reaction from his younger brother, Ran, who is an outside hitter on the national team.
From Pulse victims to Dolly Parton, MLS fans turn October into mini Pride Month with spectacular tributes
What do you do when your league takes a long break during Pride Month? Simple — you just reschedule your Pride Night plans. Across U.S. soccer, local LGBTQ communities have been consistently showing up to back their teams for many years. The traditional time to celebrate that support is usually in and around June, albeit with a few exceptions. However, in 2026, the juggernaut that was the FIFA World Cup meant that both MLS and the NWSL went on hiatus, right in the middle of rainbow season.
High school football rivalry game turns ugly with allegations of gay and racial slurs
Two high schools in Illinois are reeling from a series of alleged incidents at a high school football rivalry game over the weekend with allegations of slurs of the worst kind. Members of the Evanston Township High School marching band claim students from rival New Trier Township High School yelled racial and gay slurs — both the N-word and the F-word — during their game. There are also claims that the New Trier students yelled suggestions of self-harm to the Evanston Township marching band.
Professional sports photographers encouraged to register for Canon’s London Pro Days
Press and sports photography events organised by Canon will be held in London on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 November, with morning and afternoon sessions; photographers can get hands-on with the latest Canon pro kit, hear from industry experts, and connect with fellow professionals… Professional sports photographers have a chance to learn about new tools and techniques at the upcoming Canon London Pro Days.
Amelia Earhart’s plane remains missing. Her legacy as a lesbian icon is hiding in plain sight.
Long before aviation became commercialized, and a major inconvenience for most of us, flying was viewed as a grueling, high-stakes spectator sport, where daring aerial acrobatics, endurance races and speed records enraptured global audiences. And flying higher, faster and longer than most was Amelia Earhart. She was considered an elite, world-class athlete who possessed mastery over mechanics and world-class competency in the cockpit.
Five athletes are nominated for Grindr’s year-end awards, including Jude Bellingham for his bulge
the end of every year, fans can vote on several categories related to gay and LGBTQ fun in Grindr’s “Unwrapped” voting. Mother of the Year, Daddy of the Year, Hottest Man of the Year — that sort of thing. It’s a gay dating app, after all. The categories for 2026 have been revealed, and several athletes have made the nominations list. Not shocking at all, as we have covered many of these handsome hunks ourselves throughout the past months. Here’s a look at who you can vote for from the sports world.
Isaac Humphries says coming out as gay was his proudest moment in basketball, as he retires from the sport
Isaac Humphries has announced his retirement from professional basketball due to injury at the age of 28, and says what “makes me most proud” is the legacy he has left by coming out as gay. The Adelaide 36ers center posted to Instagram to say he had made “the incredibly difficult decision” to walk away from the sport due to a degenerative knee injury. He made 173 appearances in Australia‘s National Basketball League across eight seasons, and had a brief spell in the NBA in 2019.
Out rap superstar Tyler, the Creator takes over FC Barcelona’s jerseys for Real Madrid showdown
The worlds of major international soccer, rap and high fashion streetwear are colliding thanks to famed out LGBTQ rapper and fashion designer Tyler, The Creator and FC Barcelona. The two, in collaboration with regular FC Barcelona jersey sponsor Spotify and Nike, announced a special collection in partnership with GOLF WANG. That’s the multi-time Grammy winner’s apparel brand, on Thursday ahead of the squad’s El Clásico matchup with Real Madrid on Oct. 25.
Out soccer star Nacho Lago unleashes a 30-yard worldie in front of nearly 40,000 fans
PSG unveil jersey for Steelers vs. Saints NFL game in Paris The NFL International Series has seen games take place in the UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany, the Republic of Ireland and Spain in the past. But …
Out soccer star Nacho Lago unleashes a 30-yard worldie in front of nearly 40,000 fans
Out pro soccer star Nacho Lago has just delivered one of the truly outstanding moments of the season in his country. Playing in Argentina‘s Primera Nacional, the trailblazing winger reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the most exciting talents in the league. It’s been a little over six months since news of Lago’s relationship with his boyfriend traveled around the world, courtesy of a viral video clip.
Remembering David Miller, 1935-2026: Tributes paid to sports journalist, Olympic historian and former SJA chair
David Miller, a hugely respected sports journalist for newspapers including the Times, the Telegraph and the Daily Express, has died at the age of 91; a former chair of the SJA, a Times obituary describes Miller as “authoritative” and extremely well connected… By The SJA Tributes are being paid to the late sportswriter and historian David Miller (left, with Sir Craig Reedie in 2023) (image: British Olympic Association) Tributes are being paid to the renowned sports journalist and historian...
The Valkyries are 3 wins from a WNBA title. They’ve embraced the gays since Day 1.
The Golden State Valkyries made it a priority for the club as soon as they arrived in San Francisco to embrace the LGBTQ community. Now in year two of the team playing in the WNBA, the Valkyries are three wins away from winning a WNBA Championship. That’s because they beat the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, 68-64, in front of a home crowd at Ballhalla.
World Cup hero Ferran Torres has the ‘best boxers’ as fans admire his ball juggling
The unstoppable rise of Ferran Torres continues with a frankly unmissable set of photos showing the Spanish soccer stud in his underwear. Torres is the new face of Italian menswear brand IUMAN Intimissimi, confidently stating: “I have the best boxers” — the company’s slogan. It certainly feels like he’s the leading man in his sport right now.
Award-winning cricket book tells the tale of how ‘Typhoon’ Tyson sparked England’s greatest Ashes triumph
An account of England’s 1954-55 Australian Tour, dubbed their greatest Ashes triumph, is reviewed by Eric Brown… Despair for the Australians on February 8, 1955, as their wicketkeeper Len Maddocks drops a catch from Colin Cowdrey during the 4th Test in Adelaide. England went on to win the match by five wickets and thus the Ashes (image: Fox Photos/Getty Images) BY ERIC BROWN Back in the 1950s, my father informed me we would be going on an unspecified evening adventure.
Gabby Williams says the media ‘never respected me.’ Now she’s in the WNBA Finals.
The WNBA Finals aren’t exactly the matchup fans were expecting going into the playoffs. Heavy favorites like the Las Vegas Aces and the Minnesota Lynx aren’t standing at the finish line, but rather the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream. Golden State has been arguably the biggest surprise. The team’s rise to the top of the standings and the WNBA Finals came swiftly. The Valkyries are in just their second season.
InstaJocks: Wrestler in a wet white speedo, 2 NCAA track stars & stretching a bro
This week on InstaJocks, hot jocks Alex Daniels celebrated Halloween early with his homage to American Psycho, plus Fawaz Mahfouz’s medal, Sergi Savango torn up hole, and more! Alex Daniels went psycho with his Patrick Bateman impression. Fawaz Mahfouz celebrated Medal Monday. Sergi Savango flashed his gaping hole. Sam O’Regan struck a pose. Golu Paylet Kothri flexed his ‘ceps. Dylan Fabrizio heated up the ring in Chile. ToTo Pakorn Rodkhumpiyaset stretched out his bro.
Out For Sport Awards winners announced on ‘special’ night full of queer joy in London
Record crowd for Out For Sport Awards 2026 gala ceremony, celebrating achievements in LGBTQ+ sports in London and South East; winners from tennis, hockey, rugby, rowing and swimming clubs among those collecting trophies; charity says it is “so proud” of all the finalists… By Jon Holmes The winners of the Out For Sport Awards 2026 with their trophies after the gala ceremony at Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch (image: James Budgen) The oldest LGBTQ+ tennis club in the UK and one of the capital’s...
Forget dinner and drinks. These gay singles went on blind dates during a grueling HYROX race.
Being compared to the “Energizer Bunny” counts as a huge compliment in the world of HYROX. But when it’s said by your doubles partner who is also your date, you’re probably ready to take your relationship to the next level! For four pairs of racers, that certainly appears to be on the cards after they were matched up at HYROX Boston last weekend by SURF Dating, the fitness racing company’s official dating app partner.
Hockey players pose with teammates as the ‘big catch’ in adorable social media meme
They pose as if they’ve caught the big one while fishing. Sometimes the fish tries to wriggle away. The “fish” in this case are the teammates of hockey players, participating in a meme that has spread on social media this year. The trend of hockey teams posing with a teammate (often freshmen or new players) as if they’ve caught a giant fish is specific to college, clubs and amateur hockey teams and seems to have sprung from nowhere.
At least 5 out LGBTQ players are chasing a WNBA championship. Here’s who they are.
The 2026 WNBA Finals hold plenty of potential crowning moments in tow for either the Atlanta Dream or the Golden State Valkyries when the best-of-seven series gets underway. Fans are guaranteed to see a first-time WNBA champion as two teams that showed dominant streaks during this season prepare to clash. Among those stars are several out LGBTQ players who drove their teams to the championship precipice, most notably the Valkyries’ Gabby Williams and Atlanta’s Jordin Canada.
FIFA reveals which World Cup team faced the most homophobia online
The France national team was targeted with more homophobia on social media than any other at the World Cup, according to a new FIFA report. World soccer’s governing body uses the Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) to shield players from abuse, employing AI software called “Threat Matrix” to filter out discrimination before it reaches its intended recipients.
Trans volleyball star Tifanny Abreu faces a ban. She just won a championship with the final spike.
If the career of Brazil’s Tifanny Abreu ended after Tuesday night, the first trans woman to reach the highest level of the game in one of its hotbed nations left a brilliant final act. Abreu led the way with 29 points across a hard-fought second leg and then a thrilling do-or-die Golden Set as her Osasco club downed rival Sesi Bauru Volei on the road. The win marked Osasco’s 19th São Paulo state championship, and the fourth Paulista Tournament title since Abreu came to the club in 2021.
Ranking the 6 looks of Carlos Alcaraz: From buzz cut to Freddie Mercury
Tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz has almost as many looks as he does major tennis titles. The young and exciting tennis superstar — the current ATP No. 1 with seven Grand Slam titles, including at least one in each of the four major tournaments — looks great while smashing balls over the net. But not all of his hairstyles and facial hair combinations are aces. We took a look at some of his different looks, and we’ve ranked worst to best according to this committee. Of one.
Youth Olympics host country is arresting gay people. And the Games are just weeks away.
Senegal’s compliance with the Olympic Charter is being called into question in a new report about the anti-LGBTQ crackdown in the country, which is hosting the Youth Olympic Games. The international organization Human Rights Watch has published detailed research into the serious situation that continues to develop in the West African nation. HRW says mass arrests combined with rising stigma against LGBTQ people is causing fear to spread throughout Senegal.
Soccer stars Rafaelle Souza and Hailie Mace just went from teammates to wives
Pro soccer players Rafaelle Souza and Hailie Mace have tied the knot, getting married recently in a ceremony after becoming engaged to marry in the last year. The two women are currently teammates for the Orlando Pride. Now they are wives. They both shared Instagram posts with the caption of the IG post simply stating the date of their wedding: Oct. 4, 2026. The wedding reportedly took place on Anna Maria Island, off the Tampa Bay coast in Florida. The two women became engaged to marry last year.
2 LGBTQ wrestlers win championships at TNA’s biggest event, with a historic first
TNA Wrestling’s “Bound For Glory,” the company’s biggest annual pay-per-view of the year, delivered multiple title wins and historic moments for out LGBTQ performers on Sunday. Indi Hartwell, one year after her unsuccessful challenge for the TNA Knockouts World championship at the same event, defeated Xia Brookside to win the top women’s prize in the company.
Out gymnast Luke Strong thought his career was over. Now he’s breaking records and going to Worlds.
For a long time, it looked highly unlikely that Luke Strong would achieve his childhood ambition of becoming the trampoline gymnast with the most British men’s titles. However, not only has he now secured that goal with a sixth victory at nationals at the age of 32, but he’s also been selected to represent his country at next month’s World Championships.
Why are the WNBA Finals taking 8 days to start, and where will the Atlanta Dream play?
The 2026 WNBA Finals matchup was set Friday night in dominant fashion, as both the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream swept their semfinal series — against the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, respectively. Las Vegas and New York had been the two most recent WNBA champions.
Pro tennis star serves up courtside cake and gay Twitter was watching
A cheeky viral moment from the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament has brought Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to the attention of legions of new fans. The Spanish pro, ranked inside the ATP world top 30, is enjoying a superb Asian swing after a recent injury lay-off. During his second-round win over the USA’s Jenson Brooksby in China on Friday, spectators in the arena and on live TV caught more than just a glimpse of Fokina’s bum, leading to some fun posts on social media.
Right man, wrong time? New book explains how Colin Harvey’s Everton dream slipped away
Colin Harvey’s struggles to extend Howard Kendall’s Everton glory years are examined in a new book reviewed by Eric Brown…. Everton manager Colin Harvey leads his team out for the 1987 FA Charity Shield against Coventry City at Wembley Stadium on August 1, 1987. (image: Simon Bruty/Allsport/Getty Images) BY ERIC BROWN Howard Kendall steered Everton back to the summit of English football as he became the club’s most successful manager with two league titles and an FA Cup win.
‘LGBTQ sports clubs are essential’ – EuroGames 2027 team members share stories on Coming Out Day
October 11 is Coming Out Day, and EuroGames Cardiff 2027 is celebrating the role that queer sports plays in helping LGBTQ+ people unlock their potential; here, two members of the committee that’s delivering the LGBTQ+ multi-sport event in July next year share their stories… By Charl Galloway and Craig Stephenson EuroGames Cardiff 2027 committee members Charl Galloway and Craig Stephenson have shared their stories for Coming Out Day.
Gay pro beach volleyball players get engaged four years after being teammates
A visit to the Portland Head Light lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, was on the agenda for Tim Brewster and Kyle Friend during their New England trip last weekend, but Brewster tried to postpone the visit for a day because it was raining. Friend, though, was insistent and it made for a moment they will never forget. With the lighthouse along Maine’s rugged coast in the background and the rain having stopped, Friend got on one knee and asked Brewster to marry him. He said yes.
Real Madrid YouTuber could be prosecuted for gay slurs against soccer star
Prosecutors are investigating the appalling homophobic comments directed towards Spanish soccer star Hector Bellerin by a well-known YouTuber who follows Real Madrid. Formal legal proceedings have now been opened by the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Madrid after content creator Inaki Angulo used gay slurs on a live broadcast following a La Liga match between the team he supports and Bellerin’s Real Betis side.
A hockey legend’s fatal last flight was as mysterious as his private life and bond with a male roommate
On the morning of Dec. 21, 1918, Capt. Hobey Baker had everything he needed to go home. World War I had been over for six weeks. His orders had arrived and his bags were packed. Then, he asked for one final flight. Baker, at 26, was already a legend. He was a Princeton hockey and football star, the proverbial golden boy who filled arenas. The guy was even a star in France during the war. He had become a decorated combat pilot, commanding the 141st Aero Squadron and earning the Croix de Guerre.
3 Olympic divers know they look good. Now they’re modeling underwear.
One of the upsides of being a world-class swimmer, diver or water polo payer is that, in all likelihood, you have a physique to die for. These athletes competing in the pool have to remain in such incredible physical condition to perform at a high level, that a byproduct of that exercise is looking incredible with your clothes off. British divers Jack Laugher, Ross Haslam and Anthony Harding know they look good, and they have started modeling for underwear brand Bundawear. We’re not mad about it.
Gay college athlete traded cheerleading for soccer and found the family he needed
Because my community college didn’t have a cheerleading team, I did something I never expected to do: I became a college soccer player. I had two problems. The first was that I had never played soccer before. The second was much harder to overcome: I was gay, and the idea of joining a team made up mostly of straight men terrified me. That fear did not come from nowhere. Growing up, I was bullied for being small, for the way I talked and eventually for being a cheerleader.
Big rise in homophobia reports in grassroots football, only small increase in FA charges
Football Association data shows nearly 1,000 serious case allegations relating to sexual orientation in grassroots game in England in 2025/26; charges for this type of discrimination up by just over 2%; Football v Homophobia “deeply concerned” and says a focus on “better outcomes” is needed… By Sports Media LGBT+ More than 1.6 million people play affiliated grassroots football in England every season (image in public domain) Data from the newly released discipline review for grassroots...
Roaring history of Liverpool’s legendary Kop shows us it’s more than a stand
An award-winning journalist’s book celebrating the 126th anniversary of Liverpool’s famous Anfield Kop end is reviewed by Eric Brown… Liverpool fans on the Kop for the last time during the Premiership match against Norwich at Anfield on April 30, 1994 (image: Clive Brunskill/Allsport) BY ERIC BROWN Liverpool’s mighty Kop stand behind one of Anfield’s goals has inspired home players and terrified opponents in generous measure over many years.
Trans racer Charlie Martin leads her championship. She can’t afford to race this week.
It’s two of the worst words in motorsports: “insufficient funds”. For trans British endurance racer Charlie Martin, lack of funds is coming at the worst time. After nearly 18 months away from competition, Martin has competed in the McLaren Trophy Europe series for Netherlands-based Niemann Autosport since the second round of the championship.
Ashlyn Harris married Sophia Bush last year. No one knew until now.
Soccer star Ashlyn Harris and actress Sophia Bush have been married for over a year, and we’re just now all finding out. In her forthcoming memoir, And I Will Tell You Mine: Notes from a Life in Progress, Bush reveals that she married the former professional soccer player and World Cup champion in a private ceremony in Upstate New York last summer, according to People. Bush talked exclusively to Vogue about the couple’s decision to keep their nuptials quiet.
2nd pro volleyball player in Japan comes out, inspired by a gay pro who just did the same
A second pro volleyball player in Japan has come out publicly this week, crediting another player in his league — Rui Takahashi — for inspiring him with his own personal coming out. Courage is contagious, as we say at Outsports. Reon plays for Voreas Hokkaido, another pro volleyball team in the SV.League of Japan. The league has played with 10 men’s teams for two seasons, with Voreas Hokkaido finishing near or at the bottom of the league standings both seasons. Arao plays libero for the team.
I watched the trans basketball player everyone was screaming about. She just played her game.
With an election coming, and all the voice-of-doom political ads screaming about “keeping boys out of girl’s sports,” and worries about having a furry as your commercial airline pilot, at least one thing was a small respite for me from continuing election-year U.S. culture wars. It happened on Saturday night 4,000 miles away in an arena in the Principality of Monaco. It was the opening games of the season in France’s Ligue Feminine 2.
Gay gymnast Cooper Kim wins international gold in stunning Team USA debut
The golden 2026 built by out gay gymnast Cooper Kim welcomed another glistening prize over the weekend in his debut on the international stage. The U.S. national team alternate wowed in his first World Challenge Cup appearance in Paris, capturing a gold medal in the horizontal bar and notching top-six finishes in floor exercise and vault. After finishing fifth in horizontal bar qualifying on Saturday, Kim entered the arena Sunday determined to shine.
Bi Brazilian popstar kisses Ricky Martin in Rio in the gayest NFL halftime ever
To the best of our knowledge, it is not a requirement for every 2026 NFL halftime show to feature Ricky Martin. But it helps if they want to make it amazing. Last Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens eked out a 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL’s first-ever regular season game played in Rio de Janeiro. To mark the occasion, the league booked Brazilian DJ and singing star Pedro Sampaio to headline at halftime.
Pro volleyball player becomes first out gay athlete in Japanese men’s pro sports
Rui Takahashi has made LGBTQ sports history as the first man in professional sports in Japan to come out publicly as gay. The 26-year-old volleyball player shared his personal news in social media posts Tuesday. He is an outside hitter for the Osaka-based Suntory Sunbirds in the Japanese SV League and is the older brother of Japan national-team star Ran Takahashi.
Judo fighter banned for life after breaking gay Olympian’s jaw in post-match attack
Judo fighter Akaki Japaridze from Georgia has been banned for life by the German Judo Bundesliga, after he put his opponent, Olympian Timo Cavelius, in the hospital with a broken jaw in a vicious post-match league attack. The repercussions of his vicious assault on Cavelius have only begun for Japaridze. He faces proceedings with both his country’s judo governing body, as well as International Judo Federation. Yet his biggest headache may be the criminal investigation now ongoing in Germany.
Olivia Miles’ record-breaking rookie season earns unanimous WNBA honor
Olivia Miles has been a favorite here at Outsports this WNBA season. We’ve tracked her historic rookie campaign with the Minnesota Lynx with every record she breaks and every new accomplishment she achieves. Now Miles has been awarded for her incredible season with the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year award. She took home the hardware on Monday morning after 74 media members unanimously voted for her to receive the award.
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