Reid said she initially didn't come out due to concern about possible sponsor backlash.GETTY IMAGES
LPGA player Mel Reid on Monday came out as gay and is "joining Athlete Ally as a pro ambassador in that organization’s fight for equality and inclusion in sport," according to Randall Mell of GOLF CHANNEL. Reid said, "The Tour is a very welcoming community, and it’s rare that anyone has an issue with sexuality or openly express any issues. The only problem we run into is that being gay is still illegal or frowned upon in certain countries we play in. There are also a lot of male-dominated sponsors that are looking for certain types of players, so that’s why I have felt I can’t be quite as open as I would like to be." She added, "I wanted to be part of Athlete Ally because I feel it’s important for people to be themselves. Just because they love someone that may not be ‘socially correct,' it does not make them any less of a person" (GOLF CHANNEL, 12/10). ESPNW.com's Katie Barnes reported Reid said that she has been "very conscious" that coming out could "hinder my career from a sponsorship point of view." But she added, "Now I've reached a point where I'm like, 'Why would I want those brands to represent me?' I take what I do very seriously; I like to think that I'm a decent girl" (ESPNW.com, 12/10). GOLFWEEK's Bill Speros reported Reid is "currently sponsored by Nike and Land Rover" (GOLFWEEK, 12/10).
