Matt Berringer comes out as gay.

[Boomhauer]

https://www.ridebmx.com/videos/interviews/tj-lavins-anything-goes-podcast-matt-beringer/?sf179805736=1

I thought this would be a decent place to post and comment on the subject.

I'm more surprised that Berringer felt uncomfortable about coming out until now, He's such a nice person and his sponsors are the most understanding people in BMX, glad he finally felt comfotable enough to open up.

[Prodigal Son]

I've always been surprised there isn't more openly gay dudes in bmx. I watched like 6 of his video parts last night. Definitely put in work in his time.

[Boomhauer]

I've always been surprised there isn't more openly gay dudes in bmx. I watched like 6 of his video parts last night. Definitely put in work in his time.

I know a few gay/bi-sexual dudes that ride BMX but not any pro riders, I'm still surprised by how few gay people are in extreme sports, it makes me wonder how many are hiding it in fear they will lose friends and support.

[Narcoleptic Insomniac]

It's fucked that people would lose their sponsors if they come out as gay.

[JFax]

Heard about this from a gay bmx-friend of mine who met him.

My buddy kept his sexuality hidden for years from the local crew (which is big) until he got a bf and started getting tagged in pics. Noone treated him differently, which was nice.

[master]

It's fucked that people would lose their sponsors if they come out as gay.

It's a bit ridiculous, but there is still a subculture in America that hates anyone who isn't heterosexual and white.

I saw a bit of this growing up in a small white town, whose only diversity was migrant farm workers (who were not liked). The cultural norms that make this "acceptable" to some people exist in these little bubbles of people who haven't travelled, met new people, or seen bigger and better cultures. Not to mention the staunch religious practices of rural America.

But responding to your point - if a TM or company owner held these negative convictions, and a team member came out, it could end up badly for them. And that sucks.

[weedbix]

Good thing he didn't come out as Taiwanese

[Bunky]

Yeh, I feel like this is kind of a big deal for the bmx world.  When was the last time a pro bmx rider came out as gay?  Andrew Farris maybe?

Good for him for finally putting it out there, and it definitely sucks that he felt like he might lose friends and sponsors over it.  Hopefully this allows other gay bmx dudes to be able to be upfront about it.

I wonder how he feels about the tons of gay jokes that get thrown around in the bmx community.

PS-  I just opened up my package of Arboc bmx bar ends/extenders and they are fucking rad!  Ordered them last week before I found out about this video because I thought the extender option is rad. 

[weedbix]

Was Erik Elstran mucking around when he used to say he was gay in his videos?

[JFax]

Was Erik Elstran mucking around when he used to say he was gay in his videos?

He post pics on his IG with his GF. I mean he could be bi but I guess he is straight...

[nwcstn]

But is it really that surprising? Seems like 90% of the heckling kids do at skateparks involves calling each other faggots or saying how gay something is or was. I'd argue Matt isn't the first openly gay pro, definitly the most well known but not the first.

Edit: I mean even at the beginning of the show when the dude is goin on about what TJ should have said to the dog owner he calls the dude a cock sucker, no wonder people don't wanna come out.

[joelite44]

I couldn't watch the episode since TJ lavin is so full of shit and that other guy was horrific, definitely pushing matt onto a corner.

[Patty]

I heard from a friend Morgan Wade won’t have anything to do with Matt Beringer now. Another closed minded, gun toting Christian judging people.

[weedbix]

lmao if that's true, now petty

[bluebmx]

If he was a top rider right now and came out he'd get roasted in social media, but probably not get dropped by sponsors. Back in the early 2000's though... I think he very easily could have had some contract not get renewed or have some brands feel like they were "going in different directions". He's a legend, and he seems to be at peace with it all and has a husband. Happy to see that.