U.S. Olympic gymnast Jade Carey, a two-time gold medalist, has seemingly come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community — quietly and without a formal announcement.
On Instagram, Carey posted a series of affectionate photos with Aimee Sinacola, including loving poses and emojis that many took as a subtle yet powerful statement of a relationship. The caption included a heart, a lock (symbolising commitment), sparkles, and a love letter — enough to spark excitement and celebration throughout the gymnastics and LGBTQ+ communities.
Within hours, the post had garnered over 54,000 likes, with warm responses from prominent figures including Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Stephen Nedoroscik, Heath Thorpe, and USA Gymnastics.
Biles: “freaking cuuuuuute❤️”
Thorpe: “Well this made my day! So happy for you!”
Lee: “angels 🥹🥹🥹”
USA Gymnastics: “always applauding your authenticity 🫶”
Sinacola herself commented, “Soooooo happy 🤍™️” and later followed up with an Instagram Story simply saying, “ILY” — shorthand for “I love you.”
Although Carey didn’t use words like “gay,” “lesbian,” or “LGBTQ” in the post, the tone, imagery, and public reaction left little room for ambiguity. Outsports, which monitors athlete social media for signs of quiet coming outs, noted that the couple had previously shared photos from what appeared to be a gay bar in Minneapolis during last year’s Olympic trials. One photo even featured a sign saying “Duck, Duck, Gay Duck” — a playful nod to Sinacola’s role as director of creative content for the University of Oregon Ducks.
Support also came from Nellie Schafer, Oregon’s director of volleyball operations, who wrote: “Representation and visibility are so important. Sport will always be a catalyst for change and inclusion… Proud of you Jade Carey and beyond happy for you and Aimee Sinacola.”
Outsports highlighted that many female athletes, particularly during the Olympics, often come out quietly through social media rather than via formal media interviews. Their public authenticity, regardless of headlines, still serves as a powerful representation.
Whether it’s a soft launch or a full celebration, the joy Carey and Sinacola share is unmistakable — and that visibility matters.
