For Canadian volleyball player Lui, Pride month represents chance to inspire younger generation [Video]

When Justin Lui came out as gay to his Stanford University volleyball teammates in 2020, he remembers feeling two very strong emotions: anxiety and relief.

Lui was in his sophomore year, socially distancing from his teammates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when he decided to share his truth on a team email thread.

“I remember writing the email, sending it, feeling this like a sigh of relief, but also an anxiety about how people respond and feel about it,” he told CBC Sports. “Then I went immediately outside, and I went for a walk … I just walked around my neighborhood, and then came back, and that’s when I saw a bunch of messages.”

Lui, a Libero — or defensive specialist — for the Canadian senior men’s national volleyball team, said he was quickly met with messages of support, love, and encouragement for his bravery.

The benefits of Lui’s vulnerability …