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.
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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.”
Will Shillibier
Managing Editor
