Meet "Athlete of the Year" Michael Holtz

There’s been a long-standing stereotype that gay men don’t mix with sports. Lesbians, yes. Queens? Not so much.

Figures like the NBA’s John Amaechi, NFL’s Esera Tuaolo, and bodybuilder Bob Paris have helped open the public’s eyes, but LGBT sports publication, COMPETE Magazine, has taken that concept to an even deeper level with their Athlete of the Year award. This honor is given to men and women who are out in their communities changing hearts and minds—not with a major sports reputation to back them up, but simply through their honorable actions in their particular disciplines and as activists for LGBT causes.

This year’s award went to swimmer Michael Holtz, who lives in Los Angeles and, according to COMPETE’s website, considers a Speedo his favorite article of clothing.

Of course, with a body like that, who can argue?

 “I’m very excited about the award because it combines two of my passions: the LGBT community and sports,” Holtz says. “It gives me more energy and drive. I can use this as a platform and really touch our community in a positive way.”

This isn’t just bravado from someone caught up in his sudden gay-lebrity. The Athlete of the Year is chosen for his participation in an individual or team sport, a commitment to supporting/encouraging others in sports, and for helping the LGBT community at large. Holtz has a long history in activism and currently serves as an event producer for Equality California, raising funds that support LGBT legislation. As Holtz sees it, this award can let him work on a much more grass roots level.

“There are pieces of legislation that can advance and protect LGBT people within those different areas,” he explains. “But in sports it’s a stereotype you’re fighting. Sharing stories like my own, stories like Greg Louganis’ or other athletes who are comfortable with being gay and in sports, that’s how public opinion is going to be changed and how the stereotype will be diminished.”

Holtz offers a personal story as an example, saying that he grew up in a family full of athletes, and like many gay men he became an over-achiever. “I started swimming when I was six,” he says. “I dedicated so much time to it because in the back of my mind I knew I was gay, and I felt like I needed to be successful at something else, so that it would counteract the thing I’d thought was ‘wrong’ with me.” Now years later and out to his family, Holtz told them about winning Athlete of the Year and got a stunning e-mail from his father.

“He said, ‘I’m so proud of you. Everything you’ve done and the man you’ve become,’” Holtz recalls. “I’ve always heard—even from him—the stereotypes that gay people get, and it was great [to see that] he is comfortable with who I’ve become. Even though it’s something that he may not have agreed with, I’ve proven myself to be a successful individual. No matter who I am, no matter what my sexual orientation is, he still looked at me as an individual and as an incredibly accomplished man and human being.”

Holtz pauses a moment, then offers one last thought: “No matter what you’re doing, whether it’s your sport or your job or a relationship, keep the end-goal in sight. It may take a couple more hurdles to get there because you’re gay, but that makes it so much more rewarding. Nothing feels better than making the finish line.”

You can meet Michael Holtz this Friday, December 10, at COMPETE Magazine’s Athlete of the Year launch party. 8:00-10:00PM.

Cherry Bar
1028 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85014-4810
602-277-7729

Get the print edition of COMPETE.
Check out more exclusive photos of Michael Holtz on Gay.com.