Tag Archives: Gay Pro Athletes

Tennis Ace Martina Navratilova Predicts An ‘Avalanche’ Of Gay Athletes: “Any Revolution Starts With A Small Step”

Tennis superstar Martina Navratilova recently wrote a piece for Sports Illustrated. In it she says the “watershed” moment for gay people in sport has been reached – and she’s hoping for an avalanche.

Navratilova writes

We’ve come a long way. In the 1980s I knew an NHL coach who was convinced there were no gay hockey players. Ever. Certainly not on his teams. Why? “This is a macho sport,” he said. Remember Reggie White? In the ’90s, the Packers star appeared in a newspaper advertising campaign to persuade gays and lesbians that they could “cease” their homosexuality. The NFL responded with … a lot of silence.

On her own coming out, she adds

When I came out, in 1981, I didn’t have much public support and I know I lost endorsements. But I never had to worry about losing my job. In tennis, there are no bosses, no general managers and no coaches who can keep players from competing. So I was safe in that regard. For team sports athletes, this is not the case.

A homophobic coach at any level — high school, college or pros — could keep a player from playing. Remember Rene Portland, the women’s basketball coach at Penn State? She proudly boasted she would not allow a lesbian on her team. In the past, that kind of homophobia would have had support from the front office. Why come out when — apart from dealing with all the other complications — it could kill your sports career!”

But the game is changing, more and more stars are choosing to come out, from rugby’s Gareth Thomas to football’s Casey Stoney, support from straight and gay allies is helping to pave the way for sporting to be more inclusive.

But the times changed. Boy, did they ever change.

As Navratilova encourages:

Any revolution starts with a small step. As I see it, this one started with Vikings punter Chris Kluwe and his R-rated (but darn smart and funny) editorial on Deadspin last year. That was a catalyst because it then became clear: Straight players were standing in support of gays in general — and their gay teammates, whoever they might be.

Those gay athletes might have been deeply closeted, but there was unspoken acknowledgement: We know you exist. Kluwe wasn’t shunned or ridiculed for his stance. The tables turned. It was the homophobes who were left standing in the cold, scorned and criticized by fans and the media. How is that for a turnaround in, relatively speaking, a very short time?

She also highlights basketball star Jason Collins for his coming out and how he has paved the way for future generations in sport.

Navratilova wrote

He is the proverbial game-changer. One of the last bastions of homophobia has been challenged. Collins’ action will save lives. This is no exaggeration: Fully one third of suicides among teenagers occur because of their sexuality.”

In 2013, the Brooklyn Nets player was the first active male athlete to come out. Since retiring, Collins has dedicated much of his time to campaigning on LGBT issues in sport.

Now that Collins has led this watershed moment, I think — and hope — there will be an avalanche. Come out, come out wherever and whoever you are. It is beautiful out here and I guarantee you this: You will never, ever want to go back. You will only wonder why it took so long.”

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Women’s World Cup Winner Megan Rapinoe Discusses Coming Out in Short Documentary

World Cup Winner Megan Rapinoe is one of America’s most successful out female athletes.

The football star is featured on espnW’s What Makes Us – a new documentary series of short films directed and produced by Rena Mundo Croshere and Nadine Mundo.

In a 13-minute documentary short titled “Pinoe”, Rapinoe talks about her world-famous pass in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinals against Brazil as well as her decision to come out in 2012.

In the clip below, Rapinoe shares that she began contemplating revealing her true identity right after the 2011 World Cup.

I feel like when you can really be comfortable with yourself and be true to yourself, then all these other cool things about you are able to shine.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl5wk0SIcXA

Martina Navratilova Responds to Homophobic Comments By Ukrainian Tennis Player

Veteran tennis star Martina Navratilova has responded Ukranian tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky recent homophobic comments.

He said he would not let his daughter play tennis, as “almost all” female tennis players are gay, after saying that most male professional players are “normal”, meaning straight.

Also read: Ukraine Tennis Star Hits Out Martina Navratilova and Other Lesbian Athletes

Navratoilova took to Twitter to hit back at Stakhovsky, saying she would like to speak to him in the future about his comments.

Did you really say this Sergiy? That you don’t want your daughter to play tennis because she might turn into a lesbian? That is how it is translated. What you said was homophobic. Perhaps we can speak sometime in the future.”

Stacey Allaster, the chief executive of the Women’s Tennis Authority also commented, saying:

It’s sad to think in this day and age there are people who are narrow minded and speak derisively about women based on sexual orientation. It’s a sad reflection of old thinking and I’m proud of all our WTA players who are forward thinking, treat everyone equal and reflect life in the 21st century.”

Ukraine Tennis Star Hits Out Martina Navratilova and Other Lesbian Athletes

In an interview published on Wednesday 8th July, Ukraine tennis player, Sergiy Stakhovsky – who is famous for knocking Roger Federer out of Wimbledon 2013 – said he would not let his daughter play tennis as “almost every other” female tennis player is a lesbian.

In the interview, he was asked if there was any sexual minorities in tennis, he replied: “I think not.”

According to a translation by letsecondserve.com, he continued

You see, on the ATP we have a normal atmosphere. If there were anything, we’d know about it, because it’s a very closed circle.

Earlier there used to be talk about Gasquet, about Nadal. Even about Federer.

I won’t sacrifice my hand for the whole tour and the new guys, who are just joining, but in the backbone of the top 100 there are definitely no gays.”

He then drew attention to female tennis legend, Martina Navratilova, who said earlier this year that she couldn’t believe no male tennis players are gay.

She can think that in the women’s locker room. She has no clue at all what men’s tennis is. And she’s has nothing to do with it. On the WTA tour, almost every other player is a lesbian.

Can you imagine – half of them!

So I for sure won’t send my daughter to play tennis.”

Also read: Homophobia in Sports: When Poor Sportsmanship Becomes a Problem

Shorty after the outing of her on-court rival Billie Jean King, Navratilova followed King’s suit by revealing her sexual orientation in a column in the Dallas Morning News. Unlike King, Martina came out on her own terms, setting a precedent for many LGBT athletes to come.

Watch | Out US Soccer Stars, Megan Rapinoe and Abby Wambach Share Their Stories of Success

This year the women’s world cup comes to Canada, and we can’t wait to see the superb female athletes do their thing.

To gear up for the massive event, the U.S. Women’s National Team have created some great videos for fans to learn more about them.

The series is called “One Nation. One Team. 23 Stories.”, and features out US athletes Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe.

Both women discuss their families and the influence they have had on their careers.

Women’s Basketball Coaches and Athletes Demand LGBT Inclusiveness

For all of the fouls, steals and on-court rivalries, basketball is a sport that’s all about respect. As a teammate or an opponent you should respect and appreciate the other players on the hardwood no matter who they are.

That’s why it’s so baffling that in many sports (not just basketball), a culture of inclusiveness has not been fostered. Instead, due to a homophobic minority, societal pressures and the very real prospect of losing your job (as is the case in some USA states) LGBT players and coaches feel that they cannot be honest about themselves.

However, something needs to change. Now, in a new campaign by Br{ache the Silence, famous figures from the world of basketball have spoken up campaigning for LGBT inclusiveness in the sport.

In the some three minute video, such faces as Nikki Caldwell (Head Coach at Louisiana State University), Renee Brown (Chief of Basketball Operations, WNBA), Stephanie White (Head Coach of the Indiana Fever), Sheri Murrell (Head Coach at Portland State University), Mary Wooley (Associate Head Coach at University of Hawaii), and ESPN writer Kate Fagan are all present. Discussing their experiences within the world of basketball, they detail how they were afraid of being who they are, how it held them back and how others were reluctant to accept them just because they were queer.

But they aren’t just using the platform to raise awareness. Instead of just bringing the need for inclusiveness to light, BTS say that every $20 donation made to their cause will go towards LGBT training on a college level. While it might seem unusual that they aren’t just going straight to the top and training people at the professional WNBA level, this method makes good sense.

Training the coaches and athletes in college basketball automatically means that those who rise to the professional ranks will have more inclusive mind-sets. These generations of young players will be in the game for years to come and so it will be their words, thoughts and opinions that we’ll be hearing the most.

Click here to read more about the campaign.

‘The Uncomfortable Ride to the Top’ An Inspiring TEDxTalk by Out Women’s Footballer, Joanna Lohman

Out women’s footballer and defensive midfielder for the Boston Breakers Joanna Lohman, recently gave a TEDX talk about the challenges and victories she’s faced along the way to a successful career as a professional athlete.

Lohman is engaged Lianne Sanderson (fellow Boston Breaker) and together they are the only out LGBTQ couples in professional sports.

This video is both heartbreaking and inspiring, with Lohman very honest about the realities and difficulties of being a pro athlete. However, despite this she continues to have an undying passion for the sport, which she has played in for over a decade.

Obama Opens Cleveland’s Gay Games with Supportive Video Message

President Barack Obama has helped kick off the international Gay Games in Cleveland with a video message, which was shown at the opening ceremonies. In the video, he welcomed athletes, coaches, families and spectators from around the world to Ohio and the United States.

The president said the United States has come a long way in its commitment to equal rights for LGBT people. He also noted that some athletes come from places where publicly acknowledging their sexual orientation can put them at risk.

He affirmed the United States’ commitment to standing ‘with you and for your human rights’.

Watch Obama’s message:

Gay Games Get Major Backing from United Church of Christ

The the United Church of Christ announced that it will be the first religious denomination to be a major sponsor of the Gay Games when the event comes to Cleveland.

The Gay Games were created in 1982 to promote LGBT inclusion and excellence in sports. Founded by U.S. Olympian Dr. Tom Wadell, and held every four years; the Gay Games now includes 36 competitive sports, a festival village, cultural and social events, interfaith worship, and opening and closing ceremonies.

“Serving as a major sponsor of Gay Games 9 is a perfect fit because of the UCC’s longstanding commitment to social justice issues. We pride ourselves on being a bold voice for progressive Christianity and look forward to offering the UCC’s trademark ‘extravagant welcome’ to the athletes, volunteers and spectators.”

Rev. J. Bennett Guess, UCC’s national officer

As a major sponsor, the UCC will provide significant financial support for Gay Games 9, which is expected to bring more than 30,000 athletes and visitors to Cleveland and to generate more than $50 million for the local economy.

“This partnership allows the UCC to live out our values of diversity, inclusivity, and acceptance of all. We are proud to offer financial support, alongside a range of in-kind, volunteer and support services that are needed by Gay Games 9 organizers. I couldn’t be more proud of the UCC and the city of Cleveland for doing everything possible to ensure that this summer’s games will be a success.”

Ann Poston, the UCC’s director of communications.

The UCC’s sponsorship of Gay Games 9 adds another ‘first’ to the organisation’s long list of precedent-setting accolades. The church was the first mainline denomination to affirm equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, and the first to ordain an openly-gay man. The UCC was also the first denomination to ordain a woman, the first predominately white denomination to ordain an African American, and the first mainline religious group to vote to move toward divestment from fossil fuel companies as a strategy to combat climate change.

“We’re so appreciative to have the backing of the United Church of Christ and other members of the faith community. The UCC’s sponsorship of the 2014 Gay Games on a national level amplifies their strong commitment to inclusion on and off the playing fields. Our partnership serves to illustrate the open and affirming atmosphere participants will experience when visitingCleveland and Akron.”

Tom Nobbe, executive director of Gay Games 9.

Sneak Peak of Megan Rapinoe Nude for ESPN’s Body Issue

A teaser trailer has been released Megan Rapinoe, showing a quick glimpse of her naked shoot. Rapinoe is among many other athletes, who will be baring it all for ESPN’s annual Body Issue.

The sixth annual edition of ESPN The Magazine’s The Body Issue will feature 22 other athletes who all pose nude, including five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, 18-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka.

We somehow manage to raise the bar each year. This year’s collection of exceptional athletes and stunning photography showcases an array of sports and body types. It inhabits our mission to pay tribute to these athletes’ bodies and all they are capable of.”

Chad Millman, Editor in Chief – ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com

Megan Rapinoe gained her first foray into the public spotlight following her stellar performance as a midfielder on the U.S Women’s National Footbal Team silver medal effort at the 2011 World Cup.

Following the tournament, Rapinoe revealed her relationship with a fellow female soccer player to Out magazine. Her courage and advocacy for gay rights earned her a board of directors award from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.

The ESPN The Magazine’s The Body Issue will hit the newsstands July 11, is ESPN The Magazine’s annual celebration of the athletic form.

Finding ‘Out’ footballers at the World Cup maybe a challenge, but not in Women’s Football

Finding “out and proud” male footballers can be difficult. In men’s profession it is unheard of, but in female football we are seeing glimpses of out professional player stepping forward and out of the closet.

Here is our list of top ten professional women footballers who are out and proud.

1. Lianne Sanderson

Country: England
Position: Striker
Age: 26

Lianne Sanderson, hails from Lewisham in England, and has played for the English national team from 2006 – 2014. Professional she has played two seasons with the Philadelphia Independence, Arsenal Ladies and currently plays for Boston Breakers.

2. Jessica Landström

Country: Sweden
Position: Forward
Age: 29

In 2008 Landström came out in the pages of Swedish magazine QX, where she spoke about being out to family and friends and why she felt it was important to also come out publicly.

3. Isabell Herlovsen

Country: Norway
Position: Forward
Age: 25

Isabell Herlovsen has footballing DNA body, as her father is former football player Kai Erik Herlovsen. The 25-year-old made her debut for the Norwegian national team at just 16. In 2011 she came out in an interview with Norwegian TV2. She said she came out to family and friends as a teenager and felt it was important to be open about it.

4. Trine Ronning

Country: Norway
Position: Defender
Age: 31

The Norwegian defender made her debut for her national team in 1999, and in 2009 she became team vice-captain. In January 2009, she married teammate Kristin Blystad Bjerke shortly after same-sex marriage became legal in Norway.

5. Nadine Angerer

Country: Germany
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 35

Angerer made her international debut in 1997 and gone on to be in Germany’s starting goalkeeper in the 2007 Women’s World Cup and 2008 Olympics. She told the German newspaper Die Zeit 2010 that she is bisexual, saying, “I am very open about this, because I am of the opinion there are nice guys and nice women. Besides, I find it totally silly to have a general definition… I see no problem for me to come out of the closet. This is nothing new for me, so I can deal with the issue in a totally relaxed manner.”

6. Linda Bresonik

Country: Germany
Position: Defensive Midfielder, Wing Back
Age: 30

Linda Bresonik is a German footballer. She plays as a defensive midfielder and sometimes wing back for Paris Saint-Germain and the German national team. In 2010 she was involved with a bizarre Love Triangle with former West German international and Borussia Mönchengladbach coach Holger Fach and German women’s team mate, Inka Grings. Grings and Bresonik had been together for five years, but when they broke up, and then Fach started seeing Grings. Then Bresonik appeared back on the scene, saying: “Inka was my first love and I will fight for her. The pain in my soul overwhelms. Fach came between us: now Inka must decide.” In the end, Grings split up with Fach – and he ended up with Bresonik.

7. Inka Grings

Country: Germany
Position: Striker
Age: 35

Inka Grings is a German international footballer. She played sixteen years as a striker for FCR 2001 Duisburg, and today she plays for FC Zürich Frauen. She has also played for the German national team, and was involved in a well-publicized love triangle with Linda Bresonik and Holger Fachs. The teammates have since broken up but continue to compete together on the World Cup stage.

8. Ursula Holl

Country: Germany
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 31

Holl is a German footballer. She plays for FCR 2001 Duisburg and the German national team as a goalkeeper. In June 2010 she married her partner – Carina. She told the German newspaper Bild that her family were very happy when they heard the couple would marry and their wedding was a joyous affair. She also said her being out has “not been an issue at all” with fellow players and opponents.

9. Joanna Lohman

Country: USA
Position: Midfielder
Age: 31

Joanna Lohman is an American professional soccer player who plays for Cypriot First Division club Apollon Limassol, on loan from the Boston Breakers of the American National Women’s Soccer League.

10. Sarah Walsh

Country: Australia
Position: Forward
Age: 31

Sarah Walsh is a retired Australian football player who most recently captained Western Sydney Wanderers FC in Australia’s W-League. She is a former member of the Australia women’s national association football team.

Athletes Come Out to Support #ProudToPlay

Athletes that support #ProudToPlay…

“Proud to play means to me someone who is proud of all the things that makes them who they are, whether it be your race or religion or sexual orientation, heck…your height! It’s important to be proud of who you are. As a professional athlete, we accept that we are role models. It’s great that regardless of your sexual orientation, that the conversation was started and people started talking about being gay in professional sports. If you’re straight, just continue to be supportive. And if you see someone being bullied, or hear language that’s inappropriate, speak up and speak out. It’s very important to have those allies out there who are being brave for some of us who aren’t yet ready to be brave on our own.”

Jason Collins

“As more people come forward and are proud of who they are, and compete and do well, I think that will really change everything. I’m proud to play because I know I’m helping people. I know that there is young gay men and women out there, athletes who now have someone they can look up to in the sports world.”

Robbie Rogers

“Equality in sports has to be there for your team to be successful. It’s these little building blocks that you learn through playing sports. The bravery of being yourself is really the anchor of it all. You have to be brave in your own convictions, you have to be brave about who you are and you have to be brave to step forward and step into the spotlight and declare to the rest of the world this is who I am.”

Kobe Bryant

“I am proud to play because it is important for people to know that it is only the inclusion of the full spectrum of society that will make sport the truly unifying force it can be in the world. YouTube has always been a place where those without a voice in the mainstream could find a place to start a conversation. I know that the Proud to Play campaign can highlight the cause of those in the LGBT and straight ally communities who just want to be able to contribute to and seek enjoyment from sport.”

John Amaechi

“When I came out as a high schooler, there was no conversation about what it means to be an LGBTQ athlete: there were simply no role models and no public information for teenagers coming out in the athletic world. Coming out in college allowed me to create real relationships with my teammates – not ones based on secrecy, guilt, and shame. Coming out helped me to be stronger both emotionally as well as physically, and it encouraged me to get active on campus. These resources, on this type of platform, will affect way more young LGBTQ+ people than anyone could expect. I am #ProudToPlay.”

Eliana Yankelev

7 Lesbian Athletes Who Stood Up for Gay Rights

Here’s a list of seven openly gay women behind some of the most crucial milestones in the LGBT sports world. These women have helped challenge this sexist double standard, and show that both genders have made equal progress for LGBT rights in sports.

Billie Jean King – Tennis, USA

In 1981, the tennis star Billie Jean King became the most prominent openly gay female athlete upon revealing her relationship with her secretary, Marilyn Barnett. Unfortunately, King was unable to come out on her own terms, as a palimony lawsuit filed by Barnett brought their relationship into the public eye. However, King is now an icon in LGBT community, recently selected by President Obama to serve on the U.S. delegation to the Olympics.

Martina Navratilova – Tennis, USA

Shorty after the outing of her on-court rival Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova followed King’s suit by revealing her sexual orientation in a column in the Dallas Morning News. Unlike King, Martina came out on her own terms, setting a precedent for many LGBT athletes to come.

Patty Sheehan – Golf, USA

Patty Sheehan is one of the most successful female golfers of all time, winning the LPGA tour on 35 occasions, including six major victories. Her golfing prowess earned her a spot in the Golf Hall of Fame, and her decision to become one of the first female golfers to come out as gay has made her an influential spokeswoman for lesbian athletes.

Sheryl Swoops – Basketball, USA

When WNBA star Sheryl Swoops became one of the first African-American female athletes to come out as gay in 2005, she was arguably the most famous athlete ever to do so in American professional sports. Swoops is a three-time WNBA MVP, one of the league’s founding players and perhaps its greatest talent. She is currently the head women’s basketball coach at Loyola University in Chicago.

Brittany Griner – Basketball, USA

The most recent openly gay female athlete in the sports world is current WNBA center Brittany Griner. Griner was perhaps the greatest female college basketball player of all time at Baylor University, where she gained notoriety from her dominant statistics and her rare ability to dunk in the women’s game. In the interview in which she publicly came out, Griner detailed the bullying she endured growing up because of her sexual orientation. She is now one of the leading advocates of anti-bullying in schools, especially when directed at the LGBT community.

Megan Rapinoe – Footbal, USA

Megan Rapinoe gained her first foray into the public spotlight following her stellar performance as a midfielder on the U.S Women’s National Footbal Team silver medal effort at the 2011 World Cup. Following the tournament, Rapinoe revealed her relationship with a fellow female soccer player to Out magazine. Her courage and advocacy for gay rights earned her a board of directors award from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center in 2012.

Leigh-Ann Naidoo – Volleyball, South African

Naidoo was a member of the South African women’s volleyball team in the 2004 summer Olympic games. Though not a household name, Naidoo became the first African ambassador to the Gay Games, a landmark achievement for a continent not known for its progressive attitudes about gay rights.