OUT100: Brian Boitano & Brad Thorson

Photography by JUCO | Retouching by Anna Glen at Wet Noodle

The Moment: October 2, 1977: Gay baseball player Glenn Burke of the L.A. Dodgers slaps his teammate's hand for the first time, inventing the high-five.

This year, two athletes from two different generations bolstered themselves by coming out publicly. Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano (left) did it as a symbol of LGBT solidarity after President Obama asked him to be part of the U.S. delegation to the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Among friends and family, Boitano had been living as openly gay for years, but he hadn't told the media. "I never felt like I needed to make it official before," he explains, "[but if] I was going to be on the delegation, I had to come out publicly."

Brad Thorson (right) had been playing football since fifth grade, and in the wake of college success his heart was set on going pro. But after joining the Arizona Cardinals in 2011, he suffered an injury and had to leave the team. He eventually moved to San Francisco and decided to come out, in an effort to help other athletes who felt confused about being gay.

Photographed at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, on September 10, 2014

Styling by Kiersten Stevens. Groomer: Ivan Mendoza (both at Workgroup). T-Shirt and Hat by American Apparel. Jeans by Levi's. Vintage Converse available at Wasteland, L.A. (Boitano). T-Shirt and Jacket by American Apparel. Jeans by Levi's (Thorson)

SLIDESHOW: See the Complete Out100 List