Quinn: My LGBTQ+ Sports Hero

Bank of America's Susan Mann discusses how footballer Quinn became a trailblazer within the LGBTQ+ community and the impact they've had.

 In August 2021, as a midfielder for the Canada Women’s National Soccer Team, Quinn became the first out transgender and non-binary athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.

They are my LGBTQ+ sports hero not only for their undeniable talent on the pitch, but for their courage in being authentic in the very public and pressurised environment of elite professional sports. Since coming out in 2020, Quinn has been a fantastic role model and trailblazer for LGBTQ+ athletes, regularly posting about their trans and non-binary identity.

Quinn was the first Canadian to play college soccer at Duke University (2013-2017) and became the highest-drafted Canadian player in US National Women’s Soccer League history when the Washington Spirit picked them third overall in 2018. They now play for OL Reign in Seattle alongside Megan Rapinoe, the US Women’s National Soccer Team star who has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Since Quinn’s coming out, Team Canada has welcomed their transition and embraced their gender identity. In June 2020, the team presented them with a jersey printed with a rainbow No 5 (their shirt number), which Quinn posted a photo of on Instagram above. “They have embraced change and turned into uncomfortable conversations,” Quinn wrote of Team Canada, “and I love them for it.”   

The photo of Team Canada above captures very well the genuine elation felt by teammates in the moment – this transcends sexual orientation and gender identity and is a shining example of how a trans and non-binary teammate can and should be integrated into a team.