A former swimmer at Stanford University has accused the school of homophobia, claiming he was booted from the swim team for being gay. Abrahm DeVine aired his grievances with the team in a lengthy Instagram post on Monday that implied he was treated poorly and “used” during his four years swimming at Stanford.
“Plain and simple: there are surface level reasons I was kicked off the Stanford swim team, but I can tell you with certainty that it comes down to the fact that I am gay,” he wrote. “This is a pattern. Homophobia is systematic, intelligently and masterfully designed to keep me silent and to push me out.”
In his post, DeVine, who graduated from the university in June, lamented that he found it was his “job” to educate his coaches and fellow athletes at the school on his experiences, and that he seemed to be the sole voice speaking out.
“Everyone says they support me, and yet, for the millionth time, I am the only one speaking up,” he wrote. “To my coaches who sport the pride flag on their desk, to the athletes who liked my pride photo on Instagram, I need you to wake up to what’s happening around you. How can you say you support me and my equality? How can you not see how Stanford Swim has treated me and used me over the last 4 years? Am I invisible?”
Greg Meehan and Dan Schemmel, the coaches of the Stanford men’s and women’s swim team, confirmed that DeVine was not “invited back” to train with the team this year, but denied that it had anything to do with his sexuality in a statement.
“It is truly unfortunate that Abe feels this way. That said, Abe wasn’t invited back to train with us this fall, as a postgraduate, for reasons entirely unrelated to his sexuality,” their joint statement read. “We take pride in the inclusivity and supportiveness that exists on both our men’s and women’s teams, but we will continue to strive, as always, to improve those aspects of our culture.”
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