In a move that had gay Twitter collectively doing cartwheels, Olympic gymnast Jade Carey just flipped the script on her private life—hard-launching her girlfriend and her LGBTQ+ status in a single swoon-worthy Instagram post.
The 24-year-old floor queen, who’s scooped up medals in Tokyo and Paris, posted a carousel of adorable pics with her partner Aimee Sinacola, who works as the Director of Creative Content for the University of Oregon’s athletics department. And yes, we clocked that rival school drama—Carey competes for Oregon State. The romance might be new to us, but the vibes? Peak queer joy.
With just one word—“happy” followed by a sprinkle of emojis—Carey’s post did what press releases and interviews couldn’t: it told us exactly who she is and who she loves, without apology or fanfare. And the reactions were as golden as her Olympic wins. Simone Biles led the charge, declaring them “freaking cute,” while fellow gymnasts Stephen Nedoroscik, Suni Lee, and Jordan Chiles chimed in with love and support. Even Team USA’s official gymnastics account gave their stamp of approval, praising Carey’s “authenticity.”
Sinacola might not be a household name like her girlfriend, but her Instagram reveals a boss-level creative who brings serious NCAA energy. She’s a former Division 1 athlete with skills in graphic design, photography, and videography—so yes, expect the Instagram content from these two to be flawless.
While we don’t have a timeline for when these lovebirds met or how long they’ve been flying together, their public debut speaks volumes. For Carey, who’s never previously spoken about her sexuality, this was a quiet revolution—a gymnast choosing her moment and her platform to come out on her own terms.
Why It Matters for the LGBTQ+ Community
Visibility in sports, especially elite-level athletics like gymnastics, is still hard-earned for queer athletes. When someone like Jade Carey—who’s faced the pressure of world competition—uses her spotlight to quietly affirm her LGBTQ+ identity, it reverberates beyond her personal circle.
It tells young queer gymnasts watching from the sidelines that they don’t have to choose between their identity and their dreams. It tells queer women in sports that love isn’t something to hide behind medals and routines. And it reminds us all that every “hard-launch” of a same-sex relationship chips away at the stereotype that sports and queerness can’t coexist.
Jade Carey isn’t just tumbling on the floor—she’s helping topple the barriers, one perfect landing at a time.