Fordham rowing student-athlete Hanna Decker walked on to the team as a freshman, becoming a valuable member of the crew over the past three years. This past year, she has also become a valuable member of the LGBT+ community and one of the founders and leaders of Fordham University Connect, a student-athlete run organization that aims to erase the stigma around vulnerability in sport.
 
Following the events of 2020, including COVID-19 and racial injustice protests around the country following the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Decker part of a group of students in the Fordham Athletics community that helped start Fordham Connect. That seed germinated into three smaller subgroups: female athletes, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+.
 
We had the chance to catch up with Hanna, who just completed her junior year with the Rams, and ask her some questions for today's Way Out Wednesday feature:
 
1) When did you come out?
I came out to my immediate family and friends my freshman year of college but came out more publicly this past fall.
 
2) What was the reaction of family/friends/teammates?
My friends, teammates, and sister were extremely supportive and accepting and I am so grateful for that. My family took a little longer to come around to the idea but have since made a lot of progress in understanding and moving towards tolerance.
 
3) How has working with Fordham Connect helped you?
Fordham Connect has helped me so much in introducing me to other LGBTQ+ athletes. When I first came out I felt alone and didn't have that many friends that identified as members of the community. However, this past year I have gotten to meet so many athletes who I can not only relate to but who have also become a support system within the Fordham athletic community for myself and so many others.
 
4) How does being a member of the women's rowing program help you in dealing with LGBT+ issues?
Being a member of the rowing team has helped me to gain more confidence in myself and my sexuality. When coming out I had no idea how people would react or if they would treat me differently in some way, especially since Fordham is a religiously affiliated school. However, my teammates quickly became my biggest support system. I think the whole situation really opened my eyes to the fears athletes across the world have and how important representation and visibility is.
 
5) If there's one thing you can say to an LGBT+ person who has not yet come out, what would that be?
It takes a lot of courage to come out and to be able to live as yourself. I would say that there is no harm in taking your time if needed. Coming out is something that should hopefully no longer be needed in the future but until then I think that everyone's journey is different and the only person who knows when to take that step is yourself.