Celebrating Courage: A Coach Comes Out with Love and Pride

Pride Pioneer: Lacrosse Coach Finds Acceptance through Courageous Coming Out

In honor of National Coming Out Day, a significant moment in the life of Aron Lipkin, a lacrosse coach and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, resurfaced. This story, originally shared in 2018, continues to inspire and uplift, reminding us of the power of authenticity and community support.

Aron Lipkin, the Founder and Executive Director of Homegrown Lacrosse in Minneapolis, and the Head Coach of the Minneapolis Public Schools Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team, found himself reflecting on a poignant memory prompted by a post from Gus Kenworthy, a champion of LGBTQ+ visibility in sports. Aron remembered his friend and colleague, Christopher Jay White, who had passed away but left an indelible mark through his kindness and courage.

It was June 2017 when Aron received an email from a concerned mother. Her 13-year-old son was openly gay, except on the lacrosse field, where he feared acceptance. The letter struck a chord with Aron, reminding him of his own struggles at that age. He had never fully come out, and the young boy’s story inspired him to act.

Taking a deep breath, Aron reached out to the boy’s mother, assuring her that her son would find friends and allies at their lacrosse camp. He shared Homegrown Lacrosse’s inclusion statement, wishing for the courage to be fully open himself. Aron wanted kids like her son to feel accepted and never alone.

His colleague, Chris, responded warmly to the news of Aron’s outreach, praising the young boy’s bravery and acknowledging the importance of fostering a welcoming community. Chris’s encouragement and understanding were pivotal for Aron, giving him the confidence to be more open about his own identity.

Aron fondly recalled a conversation where Chris shared stories from his past in the Colorado skiing and snowboarding community, inspired by the courage of others like Gus Kenworthy. This camaraderie and support propelled Aron to take a leap on National Coming Out Day by introducing his boyfriend, Mike, to the world through a heartfelt Facebook post.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Friends, family, and the broader lacrosse community showered Aron with support, reinforcing his decision to live openly and authentically. Local lacrosse teams and organizations echoed his message, sharing their own commitments to inclusion and acceptance.

The ripple effect was profound. Aron received messages from alumni, fellow coaches, and youth development workers who confided in him about their own journeys with identity and sexuality. This newfound openness fostered deeper connections and underscored the impact Aron hoped to make in the community.

On the field, Aron noticed an internal shift. Coming out allowed him to embrace the same love and acceptance he offered to his players. The mutual respect between him, his players, coaches, and officials remained strong, illustrating that authenticity only strengthened their bonds.

For Aron, lacrosse continued to be a bastion of acceptance, fun, passion, and togetherness. Introducing Mike was more than a personal milestone; it was a tribute to Chris’s legacy and a testament to the supportive culture they had nurtured together.

Through this journey, Aron not only honored his true self and his beloved Chris but also inspired a community to embrace diversity and inclusion. The love and respect he received affirmed the belief that living openly is indeed a good and healthy feeling.

Aron Lipkin remains an influential figure in lacrosse and LGBTQ+ advocacy, sharing his experiences and encouraging others to celebrate their true selves. You can connect with him on Facebook or follow his journey on Instagram @aronlipkin.