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The 2021 World Championship bronze medalist took to Instagram over the New Year to open up about "the most difficult thing in my life."
Polish ski jumper Andrzej Stękała has come out as gay through a moving tribute to his partner of eight years, who passed away in November.
The 2021 World Championship bronze medalist took to Instagram over the New Year to open up about "the most difficult thing in my life." He said that he has "lived in hiding" because he was "afraid that who I was could destroy everything I worked so hard for."
"I wondered for a long time if I would ever find the strength to write these words. For years, I lived in the shadow of fear, in hiding, afraid that who I really am could destroy me," Stękała wrote. "Today, however, I don't want to run away anymore. I want you to really know me. I'm gay. For years, I hid it from the world – from you, from the media, and sometimes even from myself."
The 29-year-old shared that he met "a person who changed my life" in 2016. The two were together for over eight years, until his partner tragically passed away in November.
"He was my mainstay, support, my biggest supporter. Together we shared life, passions, joys and difficult moments. He was everything to me – my home, my heart," he continued. "We made love in silence, hiding our love from the world to protect what was most important to us."
Poland is currently considered the worst nation in the European Union for LGBTQ+ rights, as it does not have marriage equality or recognize same-sex civil partnerships. Around 100 municipal bodies in Poland — about one-third of the country — passed motions declaring their regions as "LGBT-free zones" in 2019, with some later overturning them after the European Union threatened to cease funding.
After a European human rights court ruling, the Polish government introduced a resolution in October that would recognize civil unions, as well as a measure in November that would criminalize anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech.
Stękała said that he was inspired by his partner's love to come out, as he wished to start "a new chapter" for the new year.
"I can't describe the pain that overwhelmed me. The world we were building together fell to pieces. Every day without him is a struggle, but at the same time a reminder of how infinitely I loved and how much I was loved," he wrote.
"I don't want to hide who I am anymore. I am myself – a man who loved and still loves. And I know that he would like me to continue to live in harmony with myself," Stękała continued. "Until the end of my days, I will carry his name in my heart."
