Melissa Reid - Photo: DR

"I struggled against my inner nature for about two weeks, when I was 21, but that's about it"Reid said in a phone interview with a laugh.

Melissa Reid, 31, is a professional golfer on the LPGA circuit. Ranked 249th in the Rolex Ranking with two top-10s, she participated in three Solheim Cups as a member of the European team and won six Ladies European Tour titles.

Gay, she's an advocate for gender equality in sports, it wasn't until her best friend started encouraging Reid to talk about it publicly that she considered it. It took six months, but Reid decided to share that part of herself through an interview posted on Monday. on the AtheleteAlly website.

"Honestly, I have always fought for fairness and now I want brands to represent me for who I am"said Reid. “At the end of the day, I feel like I'm on a platform where I can have some sort of influence. It's just important to tell people who I am. Hope this helps some young girls or boys. "

Reid grew up in Derby, a town in the English countryside. As a child, she played soccer and snowboarded. She took up golf at age 10, when she could no longer play soccer against the boys. She realized she was very good at the sport when she was 13 or 14 and knew then that she wanted to become a professional golfer.

"I like golf because it brings out your true personality"said Reid. “It shows your strengths and weaknesses. It's a really tough game. When I play well, there are no better feelings ”

Reid has been outspoken throughout his career. She sees herself as an advocate for gender equality in sport. She participated in the GolfSixes event this year, where women play against male golfers. When she sees the inequality, she is quick to point it out. She must. Despite the support female golfers receive from the LPGA Tour, it can still be difficult to find support in the golf industry in general.

"I know that women's sport is not as developed as that of men, but the gap is so big"said Reid. “I asked three big manufacturing companies to start clubs this winter and I was told, 'No, they only support men.' It's ridiculous. It's really embarrassing. "

There aren't many LPGA players who have come out. Unlike women's sports leagues like the NWSL and the WNBA, the LPGA does not openly celebrate “Pride Month” by the through social media campaigns or donations. It hasn't affected the support Reid feels from the LPGA Tour, but the challenges are still present in more subtle ways.

"We are very well supported on the LPGA, but I am very aware that being gay is frowned upon in some of the countries in which we operate"said Reid.

Sometimes Reid has chosen not to share details of his personal life at a business dinner. Sometimes it was irrelevant. sometimes it was not comfortable; Sometimes she felt like it might have consequences if she chose to tell the truth about herself.

"I was very aware that this would hamper my career from the point of view of the sponsors"said Reid. “Now I've reached a point where I'm like, 'Why would I want these brands to represent me? I take what I do very seriously. I like to think of myself as a decent girl. "

This mindset has led Reid to make significant changes over the course of the year. She has changed coaches and representation. In her personal life, she left a relationship and moved to a new city. There was a lot of upheaval, but the decisions seemed genuine and fair, she said. That's what mattered to Reid.

"I made a lot of changes because I felt that if I was more true to myself and to the brands that represented me, it would help me and my career"said Reid.

"I just got to a point in my life where I really feel like me, authentic", said Reid. “If my story helps someone, then I'm on the right track. "