PRIDE MONTH - ABI LIU

PRIDE MONTH

ABI LIU

In honor of Pride Month, we are celebrating the members of the Pacific Northwest Swimming community who proudly identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. It is crucial that we recognize and celebrate our differences, and by doing so, we create a stronger, more inclusive environment for everyone.

Pride Month is celebrated in June to honor the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 in New York City, which was a turning point for the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. The month's purpose is to recognize the impact of LGBTQ individuals on history, celebrate their work, and raise awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that every swimmer feels valued and supported. At the end of the day, we all seek a safe and uplifting environment where our shared passion for swimming brings us together. Let's unite in celebrating the diversity that strengthens our community and continue to champion the importance of acceptance and equality in and out of the pool.

This week we are recognizing Abi Liu (she/her) who is the Head Coach at Bellevue Club Swim Team and was a coach for the 2024 World Championships in Doha.

1. What inspired you to become a coach? 

Having spent most of my life as a pro swimmer, there was a turning point for me.  First year in college I took some computer science courses and realized I really had no interest in being an engineer, even though I excel in mathematics. So I began asking myself what do I really want to do, and I kept going back to my first true passion which is swimming. So I decided to give up my full swimming scholarship at University Nevada Reno and move to the Bay Area and began coaching at a local swim club. Here I am, 25 years later doing exactly what I love to do - coaching and learning at the highest levels of this sport.

2. How has your identity influenced your coaching style or approach? 

Over the last several years, we’ve seen a movement in gender equality not only with athletes, but in coaching. But beyond that we are seeing in the sport of swimming, more diverse female coaches finally getting the support and recognition of the value we bring. As an Asian, queer, female coach, we bring a unique perspective and relatability that I feel is really our superpower. This is not only applied when interacting with female athletes, but often athletes that have multiple identities as well. We bring a human connection through nurturing and understanding. We are more willing to be vulnerable with our life experiences to help athletes see we care about them as a person, not just a swimmer. We allow them to be seen truly as they are, all of who they are to perform at the highest level possible.

3. How do you support and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation in your community? 

As I stated in my last comment, I am often the only BIPOC queer woman that I know of at this level in the sport. I’ve worked hard to not only earn the respect of me as a coach, but that I’m a great coach because I bring my whole self to the pool deck and I’m proud of who I am. I’m often told that me being who I am has opened the doors for others to feel safe to do the same. Having the presence and representation at the highest level of our sport is an important statement to a true equality. 

4. What advice do you have for other LGBTQ+ individuals aspiring to enter the coaching profession? 

Be who you are. Don’t hide any aspect of who you are. Athletes especially are looking for more representation of themselves out there to feel that they belong in this sport that I truly love. 

5. In what ways do you celebrate Pride Month, both personally and professionally?

Pride month isn’t a day, or a month once a year for me. It’s all day, every day. I’m proud of who I am. I’ve come a long way in my journey to come out and my colleagues and friends and family have embraced me because they see how much happier I am and that has made me a better coach, friend, and partner to my now wife!

6. What message would you like to share with fellow LGBTQ+ individuals during Pride Month?

There is a lot of uncertainty in our community right now, but we have to continue to unapologetically show up for who we are and what we stand for. We are all passionate about the sport of swimming, let us support each other on and off the pool deck and we all want to see all boats rise for this sport. 

—--

Follow the PNS DEI Committee on Instagram

If you are interested in joining the PNS DEI Committee reach out to DEI Vice Chair Emily at diversity@pns.org