Out Proud and a WSOP Champion: Cole Ferraro on Poker and Pride

Table Of Contents

June is Pride Month. Dedicated to celebrating and commemorating LGBTQ+ pride, Pride Month is over 50 years old and originated after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests that took place in 1969.

PokerNews is again publishing a series of articles to mark Pride Month, showcasing the role LGBTQ+ individuals play in our industry and the discrimination they have faced. They will also highlight what they feel can be done to foster greater inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community in poker.

Poker is a game for everyone, and everyone should feel safe, welcomed, and included, no matter how they identify.

For Cole Ferraro, poker has always been more than a game of cards. Yes, a World Series of Poker bracelet came in 2021, when he was aged just 22, but Ferraro is keenly aware of the power of visibility as an out gay poker player, both on and off the felt.

“There are very few out and successful LGBTQ+ poker players.”

“Pride Month to me is a reminder that I am proud of who I am and what I represent,” Ferraro says. “It’s also a reminder to the world that we exist and that we matter.

“Over time, I’ve had people message me or come up to me at events to say they’ve never met another LGBTQ+ poker player before. There are very few out and successful LGBTQ+ poker players.”

Ferraro says that he has had other LGBTQ+ players confide in him because they felt safe doing so. He says those moments remind him why visibility matters.

A Bracelet Win That Sparked Belonging

The bracelet win was more than a career milestone; it was a turning point.

“That was my sign from the universe that poker could be more than just a hobby,” Ferraro recalls. “Being one of the youngest players to do so gave me confidence in my ability and reassurance that I belonged at a poker table.”

But belonging isn’t always a given. Ferraro grew up in a small, conservative North Carolina town, a place where diversity was scarce and silence often replaced self-expression.

“I attribute much of my early anxiety surrounding my identity to that,” he says. “I’ve come a long way since then, but existing in a community without many LGBTQ+ identifying individuals can still bring up some of those old insecurities. I’ve been fortunate to have largely positive experiences when sharing that side of my life with people I’ve met at the tables”

Those positive experiences include the friendships he’s built with other LGBTQ+ players like Ryan Laplante, and with longtime mentor Jason Somerville.

“Jason started as my karate instructor nearly 20 years ago,” Ferraro said. “He coached me when I won my first WSOP bracelet, and he continues to be a mentor and voice of reason whenever I’m looking for guidance. He’s played a huge role in my poker career.”

Pride, Partnership, and a Life in Vegas

Away from the table, Ferraro’s home life in Las Vegas is filled with love and stability. He and his fiancé Kenny, who works in marketing for shows on the Strip, have been together for nearly five years, and recently got engaged in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

“We always talked about our engagement, and we both knew it was only a matter of time before we tied the knot,” Ferraro says. “We’ve been living together for about four years now, and we love our adopted dog, Jade.”

When it comes to Pride celebrations, Ferraro takes joy in sharing them with his chosen family.

“I love celebrating with Kenny and our friends by going to the Las Vegas parade and festival in October,” he says. “It’s our chance to be loud, proud, and surrounded by love.”

Based in the United Kingdom, Will started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He now works as Managing Editor. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.

FAQ

How does account verification work?

How does account verification work? WPT Global reserves the right to request documents to verify the identity of players and prevent problem or fraudulent activity. The types of documents required are: proof of identity (ID card, passport, driver’s license), proof of address (utility bills or bank statements not more than three months old) and proof of deposit (cards or e-wallet). When requested, players must provide full, clear, color photos or screenshots of verification documents.

How to play okey online?

How to play okey online? During the game each player receives a hand of 14 tiles. The objective of the game is to form a hand that consists entirely of sets of equal numbered tiles and runs of consecutive tiles of the same color. This can be achieved by drawing and discarding tiles. The first player to complete their hand wins the game.

Can you win real money at WPT Global?

Can you win real money at WPT Global? Yes, you can win real money at WPT Global. WPT Global also offer the chance to win seats in any number of exciting live tournaments.

Can I use a VPN for WPT global?

Can I use a VPN for WPT global? Wptglobal is one of the world’s largest online poker sites, but it is also one of the most restrictive in terms of IP address restrictions. As a general rule, traditional VPNs cannot be used to access the platform because they can either warn or block your accounts.

What forms of payment are accepted on WPT Global?

What forms of payment are accepted on WPT Global? Players can use a range of payment methods (depending on region) including Visa, bank transfer, NETELLER, Skrill, and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and more via Coinspaid and Coindirect. Other methods include (available in some regions): Interac, Muchbetter, PIX, Boleto, Ecopayz, Astropay, and Luxon.

This site only collects related articles. Viewing the original, please copy and open the following link:Out Proud and a WSOP Champion: Cole Ferraro on Poker and Pride

WPT Global
news poker-players
Recommended Articles