Heated Rivalry Inspired Real-Life Hockey Player To Come Out As Gay

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Hockey player Jesse Kortuem recently came out as gay, and he says the popular sports romance series, Heated Rivalry, gave him the courage to share his story publicly.

In an interview with Out, Kortuem shared that while he loved hockey, it was also a place where he felt he had to conceal his sexuality. Growing up in Minnesota as the youngest of four boys, sports played a big role in his life. However, he struggled to reconcile his identity with the sport, believing the two were incompatible, and ultimately decided to leave. He was only 17 when he gave up hockey, also due to a lack of LGBTQ+ role models and fear of judgment.

The positive response to ‘Heated Rivalry’ is really affecting a lot of gay and closeted men I know in hockey. It’s amazing to see something so uplifting emerge from such a traditionally tough sport. I’ve been finding it hard to express how I feel, because I’m worried about how it might change team environments and relationships.

Even after returning to hockey later in life, Kortuem remained private with his teammates. He worried that sharing personal details might change how they saw him or lead to unwanted scrutiny.

2017 was a pivotal year for him when he went to the Sin City Classic, a major LGBTQ+ sports event in Las Vegas. It was there he met other gay hockey players from across the U.S. and Canada, which profoundly changed how he viewed both the sport and himself. He’s since forged strong, lasting friendships through welcoming and inclusive hockey groups.

Kortuem, who generally keeps to himself, explained that the show Heated Rivalry motivated him to open up and share his personal story with the public. He said it gave him the courage to finally reveal something he’d kept hidden for many years. He also expressed gratitude to The Cutting Edges Hockey Club for inviting him to their Winter Classic, saying the experience helped him overcome a long-held emotional barrier.

I generally keep to myself and don’t share much about my personal life, especially on social media. But recently, something changed – and I have to give credit to Heated Rivalry for inspiring me – and I’ve decided it’s time to finally share a personal journey I’ve been keeping private for a long time.

Heated Rivalry season 1 is available to stream on HBO Max.

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2026-01-15 03:30