Darts sensation Beau Greaves has spoken candidly about the homophobic abuse she faced after publicly sharing details of her relationship with girlfriend Shan Reeves.
The 22-year-old from Doncaster said she received a wave of "vulgar" comments online after she and Reeves began posting more openly about their relationship on social media earlier this year.
Speaking to The Observer, Greaves explained that she had never formally come out, as those closest to her were already aware of her sexuality.
"It’s been tough for me," she said. "I never really came out, as such. People who knew me, knew, but when we did post about it, there were quite a few vulgar comments from a lot of men."
Despite the abuse, Greaves said the support she received from her family helped her put the negativity into perspective.
"When I told my mum and dad, they just said, 'And?'" she recalled. "At the end of the day, she's my biggest supporter. Why not embrace it for what it is, and not be bothered about what people say?"
Greaves and Reeves first met on the England youth darts circuit and have been together for four years. The couple now live together and have become increasingly comfortable sharing their relationship with fans.
The world number 74 has enjoyed a groundbreaking season. In April, she became the first woman to win a PDC ranking title when she defeated former world champion Michael Smith in a Players Championship final, cementing her place as one of the sport's brightest talents.
Greaves' comments come as LGBTQ+ visibility in darts continues to increase. Dutch trans player Noa-Lynn van Leuven has become one of the most prominent figures in the sport in recent years, while also facing intense scrutiny and abuse from critics because of her gender identity. Her experiences have sparked wider conversations about inclusion and discrimination within darts.
For many LGBTQ+ players, visibility has brought both support and hostility, highlighting the challenges that can come with being open about their identities in the public eye.
Despite the setbacks, Greaves appears determined not to let the abuse define her. "Why not embrace it for what it is," she said, "and not be bothered about what people say?"
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