Ukkelberg Comes Out as Gay on Social Media
Beach volleyball professional Alex Ukkelberg publicly announced his sexuality in an Instagram Reel.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Volleyball
Professional beach volleyball player Alex Ukkelberg publicly came out as gay on social media on November 5, 2026. His friend and fellow beach volleyball professional Charlie Siragusa publicly congratulated him.
Why it matters
Ukkelberg said he had kept his sexuality off social media out of fear of saying the wrong thing, and this post marks the first time he spoke publicly about it. The announcement adds to visibility for openly gay athletes in professional sports.
Ukkelberg had been out to family and friends for more than 10 years before posting publicly. The source does not report any further public figures or responses beyond Siragusa's congratulations.
The players
Alex Ukkelberg
Alex Ukkelberg is a professional beach volleyball player who publicly came out as gay in November 2026 after keeping his sexuality private on social media.
Charlie Siragusa
Charlie Siragusa is a professional beach volleyball player and member of the gay athletes group chat GayVP, who publicly congratulated Ukkelberg.
The details
Ukkelberg posted an Instagram Reel on November 5, 2026, announcing he is gay. He said he has struggled with his mental health for several years and grew up playing basketball, football, baseball and running track before turning to volleyball.
Timeline
More than 10 years before the announcement: Ukkelberg first came out to family and friends.
November 5, 2026: Ukkelberg posted the Instagram Reel announcing he is gay.
November 6, 2026: Articles reported the announcement.
Big Picture
Ukkelberg's announcement follows a pattern of professional athletes publicly coming out, a trend closely tracked by Outsports, where Siragusa spoke about the announcement. The post adds another openly gay athlete to professional beach volleyball.
The announcement may draw attention to Ukkelberg's continued participation in professional beach volleyball and the group chat he shares with other gay athletes. The source does not specify any upcoming competitions or roster implications.
The takeaway
Public athlete announcements often come after years of private acceptance, as Ukkelberg's case shows with more than a decade between coming out to loved ones and posting publicly. Readers can see how public visibility can grow from private support networks.
Further reading
Explore more volleyball coverage for the latest from the sport.
