Volleyball star Erik Shoji says coming out as queer felt like the right thing to do, and that almost all the responses were positive. Speaking about his experience in Berlin, he describes the city as a welcoming place to be yourself, while noting that stigma remains more visible in football. His advice to others is simple: take your time and choose your own terms.

Shoji says the response was overwhelmingly positive

When American volleyball player Erik Shoji shared that he was queer in 2025, he didn’t have a dramatic moment or a single event pushing him to speak publicly. He said it simply felt like the right time, and that people should know. The response, he told Berliner Morgenpost, was 99.9 per cent positive. [3], [5]

Shoji was surprised by the warmth of the reaction, but glad he’d taken the step. For a public figure, being open can feel like a leap into the unknown; hearing support from almost everyone around him made it a significant and affirming moment. [3], [7]

Why Berlin feels like a welcoming home

Shoji has spoken fondly of Berlin, describing the German capital as a place where people can be themselves and feel accepted. That sense of openness matters in everyday life, not just in a headline about a coming out: feeling comfortable in your surroundings can make a difference on and off the court. [3], [4]

The city is also where Shoji has embraced life as an openly queer volleyball player. His comments offer a personal view of Berlin’s reputation for tolerance, while reminding readers that acceptance can depend on the community and environment around you. [4], [6]

Volleyball is changing, but stigma hasn’t vanished

Shoji sees a more positive direction in volleyball than in football, where he says stigma still exists. He believes that stigma is fading in volleyball, a change he finds heartening to witness. [3], [5]

That distinction is encouraging, though it doesn’t mean every athlete has the same experience. Shoji’s own overwhelmingly positive response is one story, rather than a guarantee of how others will be treated. Visibility can help shift attitudes, but it’s only one part of creating safer sporting spaces. [5], [6]

His advice: come out on your own terms

For anyone considering coming out, Shoji’s guidance is to take the time they need and do it on their own terms. There’s no universal timetable or single right way to share something personal. [3], [5]

That advice leaves room for different circumstances, including questions of safety, privacy and support. Being open can be meaningful, but nobody owes the public a personal announcement before they’re ready. [5], [6]

A personal moment with a wider impact

Shoji’s story is both individual and part of a broader conversation about LGBTQ+ visibility in elite sport. His experience suggests that positive reactions are possible, while his comments on stigma show there’s still work to do. [3], [6]

For younger players watching from the sidelines, seeing an established athlete live openly may make sport feel more welcoming. That change can happen quietly, one honest conversation at a time. [4], [7]

Take the time you need, and make the choice that feels right for you.

Source Reference Map

Story idea inspired by: [1]

Sources by paragraph: