Greg Louganis, Olympic champion, openly gay athlete, HIV activist and author spoke last night as the first speaker in the 2003-2004 Distinguished Speaker Series.

"Be your own heroes," Louganis told the crowd of about 300 at Eisenhower Auditorium. "As long as you're true to yourself, you can't deny yourself."

He then told the audience about his "two major secrets in life," which included his sexuality and his diagnosis with HIV.

Louganis shared his stories of coming out, and said that his mother had responded, "I know, son, now what's for dinner?" The response taught him unconditional love, support and acceptance, he said.

He also said he struggled to be honest with his father.

Louganis said he shared his secret only after his father was diagnosed with cancer.

"We finally made peace with each other after I had spent my life thinking I was failing miserably as a son," he said. "We talked, shared views and I took care of him for the last six weeks of his life."

Another issue he addressed was his experience as an athlete.

He said that being a gay athlete in a world dominated by people who "don't like sissies," was hard, but he always worked harder.

"I wanted my diving to speak for itself," Louganis said. "I didn't want to have to speak for my diving."

He said he encountered opposition but found support in his loved ones. In 1985, he attended a diving event where there was a "fag-busting campaign in the dorms."

Louganis said his friends tried to protect him by tearing the campaign posters off of the walls in the dorm. He found out despite their efforts.

Louganis won the event over the man who was a main figure in the hurtful campaign.

"I extended my hand to congratulate him and he turned away," said Louganis. "But I always wonder how much was homophobia and how much was jealousy."

Finally, Louganis addressed the issue of his HIV. He told the crowd that hearing the diagnosis almost caused him to give up training for the 1988 Olympics but he continued and won double gold medals, even after hitting his head on the board during one of his dives.

"I wasn't welcome in the country," Louganis said. "There was not much compassion surrounding HIV, so when I

hit my head on the board I was paralyzed with fear."

He said that he wanted to shout the truth about his HIV to the world, but contradicted his thoughts by remaining silent.

Even after all of his experience with tough issues, Louganis still speaks about his life. He said that being open with his audiences has helped him, and those who have heard him, to feel better about the struggles they face.

Karen Gossman (graduate-non-degree) is one of the people who has been touched by Louganis' experiences, books, and speaking engagements.

"I've been a fan of yours since I was five," Gossman said after Louganis had finished speaking. "You and your book have gotten me through a lot of hard times in my life."

Louganis crossed the stage, hugged his fan, and then signed some souvenirs.

Kelly Ross, co-president of Allies, was glad Louganis could come to Penn State.

"Athletics are an important issue here and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes aren't addressed," Ross said. "Hopefully, student athletes will get an idea about some of the homophobia in athletics and start to support diversity."