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LGBT+ Athletes You Need To Know

Sports has been a world dominated by straight athletes or people who hid their sexuality for years. But as time has passed things have changed. Although in many sports there is still stigma about being LGBT+, we now live in a time when LGBT+ athletes refuse to be silent due to their sexual orientation and identity. 

Here is a list of the queer athletes who “changed the game” for 2019, according to ‘Out’:

Megan Rapinoe

Captain of the U.S. Women’s National Team, Rapinoe led her team to win it’s second consecutive World Cup, and personally won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot honors. She was also named the league’s World Player of the Year. A vocal advocate for LGBT+ rights and for equal pay, Rapinoe said: “I do think things are changing — of course, not at the pace I would like — but there is change happening.”

“There are important actions being taken. The general public is expressing their support for equal pay, a number of sponsors have actively been involved in working to level the playing field, and calling on leagues and federations alike to address pay inequality, demanding for them to do better.”

Patricio Manuel

Patricio Manuel, the five-time national amateur boxing champion in the women’s league became the first-ever trans boxer to compete at a pro-level.

In December 2018 he defeated featherweight Hugo Aguilar and in 2019 he became the first trans man to be featured in an advertising campaign for established brand Everlast. 

“So many people thought it was impossible for a transgender man to beat a [cisgender] man in the ring, and I proved them wrong,” he says.

“Many people say I’m too weak to fight male-assigned at birth people. Some even say I will likely be killed in the ring because I’m a transgender man, even though cisgender men face the same dangers I do.” But, Manuel says he will keep fighting. “I’m ready to get back in the ring and win again.”



Kerron Clement

The two time Olympic gold medalist came out in October and will become the only track and field athlete to compete in the U.S. Olympics in 2020 as an openly gay man. But for him, coming out is not so he can become the first in “anything.”

“It’s about being transparent and inspiring young athletes to work hard in spite of their struggles,” he says. “I went through all the struggles as well, but I worked hard and made a name for myself.” 

“I hope no one has to be afraid anymore,” he continues. “It’s not fair to live in the shadows. Of course, everyone’s experiences are different, but I hope I can give one person the courage to live their lives fully. You have to live for yourself and not for others. Don’t stifle yourself anymore.”


Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner was the number one pick in the 2013 draft out of Baylor University, a Christian school in Texas that discourages same-sex relations. After that, she came out as lesbian. 

“I knew once I went pro that I was going to talk about it,” she says. “Because my journey, it had ups and downs. I went through self-harm for a little bit, and I didn’t want anybody that was going through what I went through to feel alone. I just wanted to stand on top of a building and yell out, ‘I’m gay!’” 

Griner went on to be a six-time WNBA All-Star and the first out LGBT+ player to “receive an endorsement deal from Nike.”



Ryan Russell

One of the only NFL players to ever come out as queer, Russell now wants to become the first ever bisexual man to get playing time. 

Russell claims he’s “more physically prepared than ever” to be that person. “If you’re using any of your mental capacity on something other than sports, it’s hard to succeed,” he says.

“To know that your teammates know you fully and support you is a strength that can only lead to success,” he says.


Read related myGwork articles here:

Women’s Sports Beat Men’s Sports When It Comes To Being Gay-Friendly

Michael Gunning Says He Became A Better Athlete After Coming Out

NBA Legend Dennis Rodman Says He Believes 10-20% Of Pro Athletes Are Gay

NFL Veteran Has Come Out As Bisexual



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