In high-performance environments, athletes must navigate pressure, evaluation, and constant feedback. But for LGBTQ+ athletes, there is often an added layer that goes unspoken: managing how much of themselves feels safe to show in their environments. This management shows up as filtering conversations, adjusting behavior, or deciding what parts of their identity and life stay hidden depending on who is in the room. The Hidden Cost of Hiding in Sport This vigilance takes a toll over time, contributing to anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and disconnection from teammates. Research consistently shows that LGBTQ+ athletes experience higher rates of discrimination and exclusion in sport settings (Denison et al., 2021). When these athletes are navigating sport environments with a sense of caution rather than authenticity and freedom, both performance and well-being take a hit. Minority Stress as a Performance Variable Minority stress theory (Meyer, 2003) highlights how ongoing exposure to stigma, discrimination, and anticipated rejection creates a chronic stress load for LGBTQ+ individuals and others with minoritized and intersecting identities across race, gender, ability, and social context. In sport …