30/09/2026
🏳️🌈 ANOTHER VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OPENS UP ABOUT HIS SEXUALITY — REON ARAO SPEAKS HIS TRUTH
Japanese volleyball player Reon Arao (荒尾怜音) has opened up publicly about his sexuality, sharing that he identifies closest to the “Q” in LGBTQ+ — Questioning.
In a deeply personal statement, Reon revealed that he has spent years trying to understand his feelings, identity, and the people he is attracted to. Rather than forcing himself into a specific label, he said he has tried to live simply by thinking: “I am me.”
Growing up, Reon naturally spent time with both boys and girls. He recalled being drawn to feelings of what he considered “cute,” “cool,” and “beautiful,” and explained that those feelings eventually developed beyond simple admiration and became something closer to romantic attraction.
He also shared that he sometimes feels uncomfortable with expressions based strictly on gender, such as “because he’s a man” or “because she’s a woman.” He feels comfortable around women, enjoys spending time with men, and sometimes chooses clothing traditionally viewed as feminine.
Those experiences left him questioning and trying to understand himself.
For Reon, however, the word “coming out” carried enormous emotional weight.
He described it as feeling like a huge wall — something difficult to overcome.
But then came a source of courage.
After seeing fellow volleyball player Rui Takahashi openly speak about his own sexuality, Reon found the strength to finally express his own feelings publicly and in his own words.
Reon thanked his team, family, friends, and everyone who has continued to treat him simply as Reon Arao — a person before any label.
And perhaps most importantly, he hopes his own courage can become someone else’s courage.
“I am also someone who has received courage from another person.”
Now, Reon says he wants to continue valuing who he is while giving his best as a professional volleyball player in the sport he loves.
One athlete’s honesty inspired another.
And Reon hopes his words will someday inspire someone else who may still be searching for the courage to say:
“This is who I am.” 🏳️🌈
