US EditionHit TV Show 'Heated Rivalry' a Welcome Surprise for Gay Hockey Community
Jesse Kortuem credits the TV show Heated Rivalry and LGBTQ+ hockey events for helping him overcome years of fear and find peace on the ice, inspiring closeted athletes.
- After a weekend at the Cutting Edges Winter Classic in Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Jesse Kortuem, hockey player, credited the Canadian TV series Heated Rivalry for inspiring his public coming-out post.
- Fear of locker-room backlash drove Kortuem to stay closeted for years, as limited media representation and hostile hockey culture made coming out feel impossible, even prompting him to consider quitting at 19.
- After a 2017 breaking point, Kortuem reconnected with gay tournaments and the Las Vegas Boyz, eventually returning to high-level play with Vancouver and Toronto hockey communities.
- Kortuem said his aim was to reach athletes still in the closet, telling them there is hope and thanking The Cutting Edges Hockey Club for reminding him there is room for everyone.
- Heated Rivalry's breakout success on Crave and HBO Max has made it a cultural phenomenon, with Ben Baby, TGHA commissioner, praising its authentic portrayal and sparking new hockey inclusion talks.
59 Articles
59 Articles
LA Daily News
New Hampshire Union Leader‘Heated Rivalry’ helped real hockey player Jesse Kortuem come out
Hockey player Jesse Kortuem has come out as gay, crediting HBO Max’s hit show “Heated Rivalry” — about the love story between a pair of rival hockey stars who remain in the closet — for giving him the courage to do so. Related Articles Yosemite drops reservation requirement for popular Firefall event in February ‘West Wing’ actor Timothy Busfield due in court on child sex abuse charges in New Mexico …
Hockey Player Comes Out As Gay In Powerful Post After Being Inspired By 'Heated Rivalry'
Recently, Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams told Andy Cohen he's been flooded with messages from closeted gay athletes thanking him for his work on the show.Now, the impact of the Crave and HBO series has gone up a notch, with hockey player Jesse Kortuem coming out publicly after being inspired by the show.In a Facebook post, Kortuem explained that he left the sport, where he played professionally in several leagues, in part because of the hom…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
