Team Scotland flagbearer Kirsty Gilmour insists being a standard bearer for LGBT athletes gives her just as much pride. The 28-year-old badminton ace is eyeing a medal in Birmingham after becoming the first openly gay athlete to carry the Saltire at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
Gilmour - who won silver in Glasgow in 2014 and bronze four years ago - is due to get her singles bid underway on Wednesday. Scotland’s number one came out publicly last year despite having opened up to friends and family years ago.
And Gilmour said: "I've had a few 'oh' moments from random people on the internet saying 'I didn’t know'. But I’ve literally not had a single negative comment and long may that continue. It's just a small part of a person - or a big part of a person.
“It shouldn't be something that's seen negatively because it's just a little bit (of someone's identity). I've surrounded myself with really good people and that goes for the badminton community as well.
“Even though badminton is super popular in some countries that hold really strong religious beliefs, those fans, if you're a nice, good, respectful badminton player, they'll be the exact same kind of fan back to you.
"That's been completely my experience. So if anyone is on the fence about coming out, especially in badminton, male or female or anyone in between, I've personally not had anything negative and I hope that is the same for you."
Gilmour tested the water before coming out by using the LGBT rainbow flag on her social media platforms. It was a route that worked for her and one she hopes can be an inspiration to fellow athletes contemplating whether to go public.
She added: “I’d say it's a never-ending journey. I'd say test the water in any way that you want to. A tiny bit for me was putting a little rainbow flag in my bio on my Instagram and my social media.
“To someone that doesn't know what that means, it will mean nothing. But to people who know what it means, it means everything. So, if it could help a teenager or a kid to be like 'oh, that's a safe person to confide in' then that's one job done."
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