At the young age of two years old, Lucy Velte starting swimming. By the time she was six, she started swimming competitively. Currently on the Ad Astra Area Aquatics (AAAA) swim team in Lawrence, Kan., Velte loves all the strokes but breaststroke. Her favorite long-course event is the 200 backstroke, and her favorite short course event is the 100 butterfly. Most recently, Velte was selected to attend the Regional Diversity Select Camp in San Diego, Calif., where she was able to meet other traditionally underrepresented athletes across the Western Zone.

“I had such a fun experience at camp –not just training-wise but also forging life-long bonds,” Velte said. “Getting to swim with different people than I usually do was really different in a good way. I got to learn about other people’s stories and backgrounds and challenges that they have had to overcome. Hearing about those challenges made me grateful for my environment and the people who support me. It also made me want to help others more.”

Velte, who uses she/her/hers pronouns, came out to her parents and swim team about a year ago. It was their love and support that has continued to make her feel included in the sport of swimming.

“I am so proud of Lucy both in and out of the pool,” Lucy’s mom, Kyle Velte, said. “She has an amazingly wonderful mix of characteristics – she is empathetic and kind, driven and fiercely competitive, humble and supportive, true to herself and an advocate for others. I am in awe of the ways in which she is able to blend together these sometimes disparate traits into someone who is an outstanding teammate, swimmer and all-around human being.”

When we asked Lucy why she wanted to come out to her family and friends, she told us how she wanted everyone to know her full self.

“Coming out made me feel better and more confident,” Velte said. “And I hope it will encourage other kids to come out. Coming out to my teammates didn’t change me or my swimming because they were all very supportive, and it actually improved the bond I have with my teammates.”

Coming out to friends and family can be really scary for some, but after Velte spoke her truth, she felt confident.

“At first, I was unsure of how I felt but as I talked with more people, I felt more complete,” Velte said. “I also felt relief and happiness (about coming out).”

The support she has felt since coming out has been huge. According to Velte, her teammates and family have continued to “help (her) understand it is ok to be LGBTQ+.”

By making her feel safe and providing a positive team environment for Velte to be herself, she can continue growing into the amazing swimmer and person she is meant to be.

“My teammates are like family to me, so they quickly accepted me and made me feel safe and I was able to be myself around them,” she said. “My coaches are very supportive as well, they make sure that I can talk to them whenever I need to.”

Coaches often wear many hats to train successful athletes. Providing support and creating a safe space for athletes is a huge part in the success of individual development.

In addition to Velte’s swim family, her own parents provide a healthy environment, free from judgement and ridicule.

“I was very lucky to have two supportive parents as well as a supportive household,” Velte said. “It made me feel comfortable and safe.”

Kyle Velte could not be prouder of the amazing person she has become.

“I admire her courage to live and swim as her authentic self by being willing to be a visible member of the LGBTQ community in the swimming world, as she is in all aspects of her life,” Kyle Velte said. “I can’t wait to see what life and swimming have in store for her! I couldn’t be prouder of the person and athlete she has become.”

She also has been active in protecting the rights of traditionally underrepresented populations.

“My parents brought me to PRIDE parades since I was very little,” Velte said. “I have also gone to protests about immigration rights, Black Lives Matter and reproductive rights, for as long as I can remember. Going to those events was an eye-opening experience for me because I learned a lot about diversity in the world, my own privilege and how to help others.”

Velte has some advice for other swimmers, coaches and USA Swimming members on how to be a strong ally.

“Be as inclusive as they can and make sure LGBTQ+ team members feel comfortable that they can talk to you,” Velte said. “Even if you don’t agree, you always need to accept them. Never assume anyone’s sexual orientation or gender identity because making assumptions can lead to making LGBTQ+ people feel excluded.”

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