The world’s biggest arenas have always had room for champions, but not always for those who dared to be themselves.

June is marked around the world as Pride Month — a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community’s identity, resilience, and contributions around different spaces. But beyond the celebration lies a reality that many athletes continue to live with. 

For years and years, sports have been celebrated as a space where talent, strength, and skill should matter above all else, yet countless LGBTQIA+ athletes have found themselves judged not for how they compete, but for who they are.  

Long before they earned medals, many first had to overcome discrimination, silence, and the pressure to fit into a world that was not always built to accept them. 

The field of sports is supposed to reward talent, hard work, determination, and discipline. Yet for many LGBTQIA+ athletes, proving themselves has never depended on their ability and skills alone. 

Beyond the pressure of non-stop training and competitions comes another challenge: the struggle to be accepted in sports that have traditionally been shaped by ideas about gender and identity. 

Despite these barriers, they still continue to compete, inspire, and prove that greatness has never been defined by sexual orientation and gender identity. 

At Holy Angel University (HAU), LGBTQIA+ student-athletes are carving out their own place in sports. Behind every training session and every match are journeys shaped not only by discipline and sacrifice, but also by the courage to embrace who they are. 

Their stories reveal that the most meaningful victories are not always reflected on the scoreboard — they are found in teams that choose acceptance over discrimination and in athletes who refuse to let their identity define the limits of their potential. 

First serve

For many athletes, the journey begins with learning the rules of the game and the court itself. But for others, it also means learning whether there is a room for them to be themselves. 

That question took different forms for three HAU student-athletes, but their journeys ultimately brought them together to the same court. 

For Mark Kevin Baclaan, a third-year AB Psychology student and member of the university’s volleyball team, volleyball was not the first sport he fell in love with. He first picked up badminton, but it was on the volleyball court where he discovered a sense of belonging — one that kept him coming back. 

“My goal was simple, I wanted to finish my studies through sports and make the most of the opportunity that volleyball gave me,” Mark shared. “I never imagined that my journey would become something much bigger than that.”

What started as curiosity eventually grew into purpose. As years of training turned into years of growth, volleyball gave him more than just the opportunity to compete. 

He shared that the sport also became a community that helped him grow into the confident student-athlete he is today — one who now proudly identifies as bisexual. 

For Arkie Montoya Manangan, it all started with a school tryout in Grade 6. What seemed like a simple opportunity became the beginning of his journey in volleyball.

Now a fourth-year Business Management student and a veteran member of HAU’s varsity team, years of hard work and consistency have transformed that childhood opportunity into a collegiate career defined by discipline and perseverance.

“When I first started my volleyball journey at HAU, I was a 13-year-old student standing at 5’3” with big dreams. I was surrounded by more skilled players and higher-level student-athletes who constantly inspired me to improve,” Arkie recalled.

Encouraged by her cousin, a former HAU volleyball player, Arkie attended the university’s summer training program, where she eventually earned a spot on the roster. 

Today, she proudly represents the university as both a student-athlete and a transgender woman, whose journey proves that authenticity and athletic excellence can stand on the same court. 

Meanwhile, Joshua Paul Nuevo, a 4th year student from the School of Education, first encountered volleyball from the sidelines. Before learning how to receive serves, he was simply a young fan captivated by the nature of the game.

“When I first started playing, I was still learning the basics and lacked confidence,” Joshua shared. “I made many mistakes, but I never gave up.”

Over time, those early struggles shaped him into a more disciplined, confident, and determined athlete, which allowed his passion for the sport to grow alongside his skills.

What began as admiration gradually grew into passion, carrying him from watching matches in the bleachers to representing Holy Angel University as a varsity athlete. Along the way, volleyball became a challenge that pushed him to become more determined with every season as he proudly embraces his identity as a gay man.

Their journeys may have begun in different places, but they all led to the same court — one that became more than a venue for competition. For Mark, Arkie, and Joshua, it became a place where every point earned was matched by the courage to stand proudly in who they are.

On the same side of the net

Volleyball has always been described as a team sport. Every point depends on each other’s trust, on believing that someone will be there to receive the ball, set it, or make the final hit. However, that trust may also often mean having hope that the people standing beside them will also accept the person behind each jersey number. 

That sense of acceptance became one of the defining moments of Mark’s journey. Before entering HAU, he admitted that he was not completely open about being bisexual, even with his own family.

“I started embracing my identity here at Holy Angel University. Before coming here, I was not very open about my gender identity, even with my family,” Mark reflected. “The support and acceptance I received from my teammates and friends gave me the confidence to be myself.”

The court became both a place to train and a space where acceptance was not something he had to earn, but was something freely given by the people who stood beside him every day.

On the other side of the net, Arkie’s journey toward self-acceptance followed a different path.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shifted classes online and temporarily eased strict grooming policies, she was finally able to grow her hair freely. What began as a simple change in appearance became a turning point, allowing her to recognize and embrace the identity she had long carried within.

“As my hair grew longer, I started to feel more comfortable and happy with how I looked… this experience helped me discover and embrace my true identity,” Arkie recalled.

Returning to the court meant carrying that same confidence with her. As a transgender woman, it also meant stepping into spaces that have traditionally been shaped by rigid ideas of gender. 

Yet instead of finding rejection, she found a team who accepted her and continued to see her commitment, discipline, and passion before anything else. 

As she continues to represent HAU on the volleyball court, she also carries the confidence of someone who no longer feels the need to separate her identity from the athlete she has always been. 

Joshua’s experience with acceptance came at an earlier stage of his life. Learning to embrace his identity, he shared, became possible because he was surrounded by people who chose to support him instead of judge him.

“I embraced my identity at a young age. I learned to accept and love myself for who I am. With the support of the people around me, I became more confident in expressing my true self,” Joshua said. 

Although their stories unfolded differently, Mark, Arkie, and Joshua arrived at the same realization: acceptance can change the course of a person’s journey.

For years, sports have long been viewed by expectations of toughness, masculinity, and rigid gender norms; often leaving little room for those whose identities fall outside those expectations.

Yet within the university’s volleyball program, these student-athletes found something that many before them did not always have: an environment where those expectations begin to break down — one where they are accepted not despite who they are, but as they are.

Playing through the silence 

But then again, the cheers from the crowd only lasts until the final buzz.

What lingers long after every game are the hours of training, the exhaustion that comes with every practice, and the quiet battles athletes fight on their own before they even step onto the court. 

Mark shared that he knows every good performance is built on sacrifices only few people can witness. While most only remember the highlights of his journey, he has learned to balance academics, training, and the personal struggles that come with being both a student-athlete and a bisexual man. 

Beyond the physical demands of being a varsity athlete is another challenge that remains deeply personal — to navigate his identity while still finding the courage to be himself. 

“There are times when I feel like I have to hide parts of who I am just to keep everything together. That kind of silence and pressure can be exhausting, especially when you’re trying to perform at your best,” he admitted. 

Arkie’s journey, too, came with its own set of obstacles. Before she could proudly embrace her identity as a transwoman, she first had to prove that she belonged — not only as an athlete, but as someone worthy of wearing the university colors. 

“I experienced bullying and heard comments that I did not deserve a place in the final lineup,” she shared. “Instead of giving up, I used these challenges as motivation to improve my skills and discipline.”

Joshua’s story shares a similar understanding of what people often overlook. While most spectators celebrate victories and memorable plays, they rarely see the commitment required for the athletes to reach that moment. Behind every game are countless hours of training, personal sacrifices, and the responsibility of balancing life inside and outside the court. 

“People usually only see us during games, but they don’t see the hard work behind every performance. Training takes a lot of time, effort, and discipline. There are also sacrifices that come with balancing sports and other responsibilities,” Joshua said. 

Success has never been measured only by wins and losses. Sometimes, it means showing up despite being exhausted, choosing to stay when giving up feels easier, and continuing to play through the silence, knowing that the battles no one sees often shape the victories everyone remembers.

Worth every point

Everybody knows a winning moment is a big core memory not just for the athletes but also for the coaches, teammates, families, and supporters who stood behind them every step of the way. 

But not every defining moment in an athlete’s journey ends with bringing home the bacon, with a medal around the neck, or a trophy held high above the crowd.

Sometimes, the moments that stay the longest are found in celebrations shared with teammates, opportunities earned through sacrifice, and victories that remind them why they keep choosing to play in the first place. 

One of those moments came during Mark’s campaign in last year’s UNIGAMES. The tournament arrived at a time when the team was carrying challenges that few people outside the court ever knew about. Despite everything happening behind the scenes, they continued to play together, refusing to let adversity define their season.

“I still remember seeing my teammates celebrate after the game. In that moment, all the stress, pressure, and struggles just felt worth it. It reminded me that volleyball is not just about winning or losing — it’s about the people, the journey, and the moments that make all the sacrifices meaningful,” Mark recalled.

Earning a place on HAU’s varsity team gave Mark the opportunity to continue his education at a time when his family was facing financial hardships. It also became a promise to make every opportunity count — both for himself and for the family that never stopped believing in him.

Arkie looks back on the 2024 Philippine University Games as one of the defining moments of her collegiate career. Entering the tournament with only 10 players, the HAU Men’s Volleyball Team faced opponents with deeper benches and larger rosters. Even with the odds stacked against them, the team remained determined to compete and refused to let their circumstances define their performance.

“Although we were not able to advance to the Final Four, we were proud to finish seventh out of more than 20 participating teams,” Arkie recalled. “Despite our limited roster, we competed with great pride and gave our best for the school we represent.”

Joshua remembers last year’s UNIGAMES through the team’s first victory of the tournament — a moment that affirmed the countless hours of hard work they had invested together.

“Seeing all our hard work and dedication pay off made me feel proud. It wasn’t just about winning — it was about knowing that every practice and sacrifice was worth it,” he shared. “That moment reminded me why I love playing volleyball.”

Beyond that victory, earning a place on the varsity roster remains one of the achievements closest to his heart. He shared that behind that opportunity were years of commitment, persistence, and the decision to keep showing up even when progress seemed slow which truly paid off.

Because in the end, the points eventually fade from memory. But the reasons behind these victories never do. 

A court for every color

Representation has never been about being the first or the only one. It is about making sure that the next person no longer has to wonder whether they belong.

For LGBTQIA+ student-athletes, every season played openly carries a quiet significance behind every game and competitions. Their presence challenges long-held assumptions about who occupies and who can only occupy spaces that are often defined by expectations of gender and identity. More importantly, it reminds those who are still watching from the sidelines that there is room for them, too. 

Simply being visible can encourage others to pursue the opportunities they deserve without feeling that their identity stands in the way, as Mark shared.

“I hope my presence in sports encourages other LGBTQ+ students and athletes to be confident in who they are,” he said. “I want them to know that their identity does not limit their potential. They deserve the same opportunities, respect, and support as anyone else, and they can succeed while staying true to themselves.”

For him, acceptance begins with being treated the same as every other athlete. What matters is creating spaces where LGBTQIA+ athletes can compete without carrying the additional burden of proving that they belong before they are allowed to play and be accepted.

The same hope and sentiment are reflected in Arkie’s statement. Having gone through her own journey of self-discovery and self-doubt, she wants them to step onto the court without feeling that their identity has to be questioned before their talent can be recognized.

“Being a student-athlete is never easy, and it is not for the weak as many would say. However, everyone has their own weaknesses; what matters is facing them and continuing until you overcome them,” she affirmed.

“To my fellow LGBTQ+ students, you have a place on this campus. You are not different from anyone else. Take your time to grow, bloom, and walk with pride and confidence,” Arkie added, “You are valued, you are enough, and you are always welcome to be your authentic self.”

Her message extends beyond the volleyball court, reaching every student who is still learning to embrace who they are and believe that they, too, have a place to belong.

Joshua hopes, too, that the path he has taken can reassure other LGBTQIA+ student-athletes that they never have to choose between their identity and their dreams. Having learned to embrace who he is at a young age, he wants others to step onto the court with the same confidence that carried him through this journey of his own.

“I hope my journey encourages other LGBTQ+ students and athletes to believe in themselves. I want them to know that their identity should never stop them from pursuing their dreams,” he stressed. “I also hope to inspire them to be confident, work hard, and be proud of who they are.” 

Their stories may have begun on different courts, but they all arrive with the same message for people like them and for the community they represent. The legacy they hope to leave is not measured by championships or records, but by the doors their visibility helps open for those who come next. 

Because Pride is more than a celebration held every June. 

For these athletes, it is choosing to step onto the court each day with the courage to compete not just for the sports they are playing, but also the freedom to be themselves, and the hope that the next generation of athletes will never have to question whether there is a place for them in the field. 

The greatest legacy these athletes will leave behind will not just be found in trophies and medals, but the certainty they give others, that there is and there will always be a place for them in every court.