Tag Archives: Women’s Football

Megan Rapinoe Has An Important Message About Fighting For What Is Right

Since coming out publicly five years ago, soccer player Megan Rapinoe hasn’t shied away from engaging in political conversations and advancing equality.

She’s been has advocated for gay rights, she was one of five players whose names were on the lawsuit filed against US Soccer alleging wage discrimination early last year, and last year knelt during the National Anthem to show solidarity with Colin Kaepernick.

In a lengthy conversation with The Guardian, she talked about all of these things and whether she believes her outspoken attitude has hurt her chances of being selected to represent the United States (it seems she doesn’t).

I can sleep at night knowing that I genuinely tried to have a really important conversation, or at least tried to open it up. I think I came to it with an open mind, an open heart and tried to get as many people to talk about it as I could.”

She also spoke about intersectionality and how her conversations about gender, race and sexuality are all intertwined.

Rapinoe says

The more I’ve been able to learn about gay rights and equal pay and gender equity and racial inequality, the more that it all intersects. You can’t really pick it apart. It’s all intertwined. God forbid you be a gay woman and a person of color in this country, because you’d be really fucked.

As I got more into gay rights, I got more into equal pay and you just see that it’s all connected. You can’t really speak out on one thing and not another without it not being the full picture. We need to talk about a larger conversation in this country about equality in general and respect – especially with the recent election and subsequent narrative that’s coming from the White House right now.”

Always thoughtful, Rapinoe hits a lot of marks in the interview, which you can check out here.

In Her Own Words, Megan Rapinoe Explains Why She Knelt During National Anthem

U.S. women’s national team player Megan Rapinoe, has said she will continue to kneel during the national anthem “because I simply cannot stand for the kind of oppression this country is allowing against its own people.”

The out soccer star has chosen to kneel in support of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who sparked a passionate and occasionally ugly debate about injustice, race and patriotism when he sat for the national anthem during pre-season.

Kaepernick, who is objecting to police brutality and racial oppression, has seen his protest spread to the NBA and other sports, and high school and college players have also picked up the cause.

In a detailed post on the Players’ Tribune, Rapinoe explained her reasons for kneeling before her games.

She wrote:

I haven’t experienced over-policing, racial profiling, police brutality or the sight of a family member’s body lying dead in the street. But I cannot stand idly by while there are people in this country who have had to deal with that kind of heartache.

Rapinoe is one of the US women’s team’s biggest names. She helped her team to gold at the 2012 Olympics, and the 2015 World Cup, and is an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a charity that combats homophobia in sports.

She has chosen to kneel before USA international matches and games for Seattle Reign, her NWSL club.

Her protest has been met with support from soccer fans, but US Soccer, America’s governing body, has so far taken a lukewarm view.

Read the full post below

I’m kneeling because I have to do something. Anything. We all do.

I am the same Megan Rapinoe you have known for years now. I am the same woman who has worn the Stars and Stripes across her chest, proud and beaming. I am one of the women you have called an American hero, and not just once. I look like your sister, your friend, your neighbor or the girl your kids go to school with. I am the person sitting at your dinner table and coming to your holiday party.

I haven’t experienced over-policing, racial profiling, police brutality or the sight of a family member’s body lying dead in the street. But I cannot stand idly by while there are people in this country who have had to deal with that kind of heartache.

There is no perfect way to protest. I know that nothing I do will take away the pain of those families. But I feel in my heart it is right to continue to kneel during the national anthem, and I will do whatever I can to be part of the solution.

I can understand if you think that I’m disrespecting the flag by kneeling, but it is because of my utmost respect for the flag and the promise it represents that I have chosen to demonstrate in this way. When I take a knee, I am facing the flag with my full body, staring straight into the heart of our country’s ultimate symbol of freedom — because I believe it is my responsibility, just as it is yours, to ensure that freedom is afforded to everyone in this country.

I have chosen to kneel because in the time it has taken me to write this article, many more Americans have been lost to senseless violence. I have chosen to kneel because not two miles from my hotel in Columbus, Ohio, on the night before our USWNT match against Thailand, a 13-year-old boy named Tyre King was fatally shot by a police officer. I have chosen to kneel because I simply cannot stand for the kind of oppression this country is allowing against its own people. I have chosen to kneel because, in the words of Emma Lazarus, “Until we are all free, we are none of us free.”

But this is about more than just raising awareness. I know that actions must be taken to help bring about real change. Right now, I am reaching out to community leaders, corporate partners and leaders within the Black Lives Matter movement to figure out all the ways I can best support the efforts already in motion.

While there may not be a perfect plan or solution in front of us, I encourage everyone reading this to join in the conversation. Together, we can listen to the people who are living this nightmare every day. We can try to empathize with their pain and start to understand a more complete picture of what is going on in our society. We can read articles, editorials, books and stories in order to peel back the layers of this centuries-old oppression.

Having these kinds of conversations can be difficult and complex, but so what? We should talk to our family members and challenge them, bringing these hard problems to the dinner table and persevering through uncomfortable conversations. This is not a “them” problem — this is an “us” problem.

And, if you are in a position of influence like I am, you can use your platform to elevate the millions of voices being silenced, and support them in the tremendous work already being done.

Even more simply, you can ask yourself this question: “Do I truly care about equality for all people in this country?”

If the answer is yes, then demand to be a better, more educated, more empathetic version of yourself. And demand the same of every single person you know — because, as Seattle-based writer Ijeoma Oluo put it so perfectly: When we as a nation put our minds to something, when we truly choose to care about something, change always happens.

I am choosing to do something. I am choosing to care.

Much love,

Pinoe

Nigerian Official Quickly Back-Tracks After Saying ‘Lesbianism’ Is Killing The National Women’s Team

The vice-president of the Nigerian Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi, has been quick to clarify his homophobic comments on female football players, blaming lesbians for the national team’s recent decline.

The Super Falcons have won nine of the 11 African Women’s Championships that have taken place since 1991, making them the toughest female side on the continent.

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But the team failed to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games, and hit the spotlight for the wrong reasons when Akinwunmi was quoted as saying “Lesbianism kills teams” in Nigeria.

Same-sex relationships are banned in Nigeria, which is a deeply conservative country where homosexuals say they often suffer abuse.

The vice-president, however, subsequently hit out at the skewed versions of his speech, and said he was referring to the difficulty of attracting sponsors for the women’s game.

I noted that one of the problems we have encountered in trying to raise funds for the women’s game, is the perception of lesbianism therein.

We strongly believe that there are still potential sponsors out there who will lend their support to help us develop our female teams because of the glory that these girls have brought to this country and their enormous potential to do even more.”

The Oyo State Chapter of the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), to whom Akinwunmi gave his original speech, also defended the official.

We wish to place it on the records that the observations of Barrister Akinwunmi, who is the first vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is being interpreted out of context and being promoted in negative connotations by those bent on mischief, most of who were not present at the forum.”

The NFF 1st vice President in his response to the question by one of the participants began by avowing his huge passion for women football and grassroots football which his administration as Chairman of Lagos State Football Association has championed.

Among some other problems of running women football he highlighted were comparatively higher costs and lower returns on investment. He also pointed to the dearth of women football players arising from the place of women in traditional practices of the country and the concentration of interest by both corporate Nigeria and individuals on men’s football.

His only mention of lesbianism was in general terms and not relative to women football and it in no way suggests an opinion on sexual orientation of any player. Sexual restriction in football camps is also enforced in men’s teams and the reason is obviously to reduce the distraction from focusing on work.”

It is not the first time the NFF says it has been misquoted on this issue.

Three years ago it denied that an official had said lesbians were banned from playing in Nigeria.

Players for the national women’s side receive significantly lower pay and bonuses than their male counterparts.

The Super Falcons have won the women’s Africa Nations Cup – formerly known as the African Women’s Championship – nine times.

Finally, Barbie Is Now An Out Football Playing Lesbian

Mattel has unveiled a new Barbie design based on out football player Abby Wambach.

Kim Culmone of Barbie Global announced the new doll at the MAKERS conference, which is celebrates women in business.

Culmone announced:

We believe play is important… and that’s for a very good reason. Play is a way that a girl goes on her own personal journey of self-discovery. That’s a journey sparked by inspiration – and that’s our job as the current leaders.

Play is the way they learn to push the boundaries of possibility, and discover their own limitless potential.

Makers and Barbie are really thrilled to honour a woman who’s redefined what’s possible through her own effort, her bravery, and her accomplishment.

I want you to meet the Abby Wambach doll. This doll will inspire young girls to be as incredible as the woman who has inspired us all.”

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The new doll honours Wambach, who retired from football this year after 15 years as part of the US women’s national soccer team.

Wambach is one of the most visible out female sports stars in America, having helped win two Olympic gold medals and the Women’s World Cup champion – and has been named US Soccer Athlete of the Year six times.

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Examining the doll, Wambach praised the faithful approach to her short hair and presentation, saying

I’m not going to lie, you guys might not believe this… but I was a Barbie kid. I played with Barbies my whole life.

I know about playing with Barbies who may or may not have looked like I felt – and I feel like this is a really impactful statement.

It just proves we really are getting somewhere.

Not everyone is treated equal: if you are out there and your doll doesn’t look exactly like you, here’s another option!”

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She added:

Her hair’s even shaved! All the cool kids are going to want this.”

It’s not the first new diverse Barbie – the doll recently got a make-over with a number of different shapes and sizes.

 

Abby Wambach’s Touching Goodbye Message Is Simple: ‘Forget Me’ (Video)

Abby Wambach accomplishments read like a laundry list of greatness.

She is seen, as THE most successful US soccer player the world has ever known.

For those who watched her play know she did things that won’t necessarily show up in the record books, but those things played such a massive part to the outcomes of countless games.

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But, Wambach’s era of dominance and brilliance has come to end. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion retired from soccer this week, playing her final game against China.

China may have won the match 1-0, ending the U.S. Women’s team’s 104-match unbeaten streak on home turf, but the real winner of the game was Wambach.

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Named FIFA’s World Player of the Year in 2012, Wambach ends her career with 184 goals in international play, the most by any woman or man in history.

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So many who walk away from a career, be it soccer, basketball or any other profession, want their greatness to be remembered forever.

They want to be etched in the fabric of their crafts for decades and centuries to come.

Not Abby Wambach.

As the 35-year-old Rochester, New York native walks away from the game for good, her farewell message is simple and poignant:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGQZ5FfvP3E

Selfless, humble and successful, there will never be another Abby Wambach.

And that’s perfectly fine with her.

 

LGBT Football Fans Demand More From Premier League Clubs

The UK’s Gay Football Supporters’ Network has told the BBC’s Newsbeat that some Premier League clubs aren’t doing enough for gay fans.

The campaigners say getting adequate help setting up official supporters’ groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fans is too difficult.

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GFSN chairman Ed Connell, explained

I definitely think all Premier League clubs should have an official one. There are some clubs that still seem to think; remarkably as it may seem that there isn’t a problem with homophobia within football. They think because there is no homophobic chanting within their grounds there’s no need to actively help an LGBT fan group which is disappointing.”

The organisation, which also runs a national LGBT league, says such groups can help tackle homophobia.

There are hundreds of different supporters’ groups in the UK and they usually give fans from the same club, who live in a certain area, the chance to meet up and socialise.

Few of them are specifically for the LGBT community, though.

In 2013 Arsenal became the first major English club to recognise such a group – the likes of Manchester City and Everton followed.

But Newsbeat has found not all clubs have an LGBT group. Apart from Arsenal, only 5 other Premier League clubs said they did.

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Arsenal’s Gay Gooners say the group is important because they work with the club to tackle homophobia and even have a rainbow banner at the Emirates

Steve, a member of the Gay Gooners, said

It’s just a social group for like-minded supporters to meet up and have a few drinks.”

Chris Paouros from Pride in Football said that can be “tricky” for gay supporters. She added:

We know that LGBT fans sometimes don’t go to football because it doesn’t feel like a safe place to be.”

A recent Out on the Fields survey, taken by more than 9,000 people, claims 77% of UK participants had witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport.

Chris says it’s important that clubs are “engaged”.

It’s that kind of attitude, which led to an LGBT supporters’ group being set up at Tottenham.

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Simon Gray, who helped set up the Proud Lilywhites explained

They (Tottenham) used all their resources to find the supporters, to pull them together. It was really empowering to see the club reach out and try to find people”.

For GFSN chairman Ed Connell, the importance of such groups is a significant tool in educating fans.

To see the Gay Gooners displaying their banner inside the Emirates is the most amazing thing for an LGBT fan who’s been attending football for years but felt like the silent minority within the ground.”

Canadian Goalkeeper Erin McLeod Shuts Down Hateful Comments With One Perfect Post

Over the weekend, Women’s World Cup playing, goalkeeper Erin McLeod from Canadian, tied the knot with her girlfriend and fellow footballer Ella Masar.

Erin McLeod

Masar came out publicly ealier this year in an article focusing on her Christian faith, after receiving homophobic comments on a personal family photo.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that I am deeply in love with Erin Katrina McLeod. Yes, I know she is a woman. Yes, I hear you, it is wrong. Yes, I know I am sinning. Yet, please tell me who can throw the first stone? Wether you believe it is a sin or not, I will never apologize for loving someone, faithfully, with everything that I am, and honoring them daily.”

Again, Masar has had to respond to hateful comments on her wedding. She posted this response:

For all the congratulations, love, and support thank you. Erin and I feel overwhelmed and blessed with everyone that has reached out… Also, to the “other” messages, thank you. Thank you for praying for me and reinforcing my own prayers because as you pray, “Lord please help Ella, allow her to see her sin for loving that woman, for respecting her, being faithful, honoring her, etc …” Know I am saying the same thing, “My Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me find my better half, for finding someone that strengthens my faith and allows me to be the person I always imagined. Thank you for teaching me what truly loving someone and others is all about, amen.

https://instagram.com/p/49M8RssAFu/

Close Games, Unbelievable Goals, and Last-Minute Heroics: Why This Year’s Women’s World Cup Rocked

This year’s Women’s World Cup has been nothing short of awesome. We’ve seen close games, unbelievable goals, and last-minute heroics.

Even if you’ve missed some of it, here are the highlights.


1. It was a openly gay event and an inspiring model of inclusiveness in sports.

There will be at least 17 publicly out women – 15 players and two coaches – at the 2015 Women’s World Cup this year. Including four out players and a head coach in the world cup-winning American women’s team.

While the men’s professional game has been reluctant to be fully inclusive and supportive of anyone within the game who identifies as LGBT its generally regarded that football is much more accepting of women who are lesbian or bisexual.”


2. For the first time in Women’s World Cup history, the final was a rematch!

Just four years ago, the U.S. lost in a heart-breaking final match to Japan, decided on penalty kicks. However, on Sunday, the team lined up to do battle. This time team USA were the victors.


3. Record Breaking Matches matches

Carli Lloyd stunned football fans Sunday by scoring two goals in the first five minutes of the Women’s World Cup final against Japan.
It was the first hat trick in a Women’s World Cup final, as well as the fastest three goals for a single player in any World Cup game

Her secret to success?

I’ve just been training my butt off for the last 12 years,”


3. The English Team Proved Their Doubters Wrong

A Fara Williams penalty in extra time secures England the bronze medal in the third-place play-off against Germany at the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Edmonton.

It represented their first win over Germany in 31 years, and secured the best World Cup finish by any England team since the men’s side won the competition in 1966.


4. The highest turnout in history

Over million people supports cheered their teams on, making this the best attended Women’s World Cup in history.


5. Plenty of Goals

Germany was the tournament’s top scores, scoring 20 goals in total. Sadly Ecuador conceded the most goals – 17 in this tournament.

 

 

Hello! Brittney Griner and World Cup-Winning Footballer Ali Krieger Get Naked for ESPN Body Issue Magazine

Once a year ESPN’s magazine convinces some very talented a beautiful people to get naked for their Body Issue addition.

In the mag, the world’s greatest athletes’ pose naked and talk about the skin they’re in.

The new issue (out July 10) includes two out female athletes: WNBA star Brittney Griner and the US’s World cup-winning footballer Ali Kriege

Brittney talked to out sports journalist Kate Fagan about labels and defying gender stereotypes.

I don’t like labels. But [gender roles] are instilled in you as a kid. I was told to pick which one I wanted to be-masculine or feminine. I’m like, well, I kind of want to be both, because that’s who I am. I mean, sometimes I’m feminine, sometimes I’m emotional. And then sometimes-you see me on the court, and I’m hard-core, and then how I dress is masculine. If I put on something “girlie,” I feel very uncomfortable. It feels like something I shouldn’t be wearing. I wore a dress for my high school graduation and it sucked. My mom wanted me to wear a dress so bad. I forced a smile in a couple of photos for her, but I was the most absolute uncomfortable person.”

In her interview, Kreiger says

It’s important to show your vulnerabilities. I’m proud of my body, I’m proud of my sport, I’m proud of being a female athlete. Being naked is just another aspect of that. It’s real. It’s raw. It’s honest.

…I think my confidence came when I turned 30. I don’t know, something about turning 30 has been unbelievable. I just feel a sense of freedom. My 20s were really tough, just traveling and living in different countries and doing all these things, and now I feel like I know what I want and know really what my goals and dreams are and what I want from my life.

See the full interviews and video on ESPN’s website.

Awwww, Abby Wambach Celebrates US World Cup Victory With A Loving Kiss With Her Wife

What a perfect way to celebrate the U.S. win over Japan, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalising gay marriage.

Abby Wamback, who has been called the “soul” of the U.S. team, celebrated her countries World Cup win by rushing to her wife, Sarah Huffman, to share a loving embrace.

Wambach told the Daily Mail:

To be quite honest, I felt like I was in a dream sitting there on the bench watching Carli Lloyd go off and I’m so proud to be on this team and proud to be a part of something that in my opinion is really special.”

She embraced her wife last night in front of the sold-out crowd in the BC Place stadium.

In October 2013, Wambach married Sarah Huffman – former midfielder for the Portland Thorns and United States national team – in Hawaii.

Huffman came out that year on the LGBT non-profit organization website, Athlete Ally.

The two were teammates on the Western New York Flash.

This was Wambach’s last chance at earning the title of World Champion, she entered her final international game in the 79th minute as a substitute, with fans chanting her name.

I would give up all my individual awards for what we just did tonight and it’s the truth. It’s the wholehearted truth.”

She claims two Olympic Gold medals, a record of most international goals scored in the sport’s history and the 2012 title of FIFA World Player of the Year.

Wambach was presented the captain’s armband by team-mate Carli Lloyd, before both Wambach and Christie Rampone raised the championship trophy- the first Americans to do so since 1999.

Congrats to Abby and the entire U.S. Team!

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Norway Women’s World Cup Team Satirizes Sexist Attitudes to Women in Sports (Video)

Earlier this month, ESPN talking head Stephen A. Smith joked on SportsCenter that a Women’s World Cup player failed to defend a goal because she was afraid to “mess up her hair.”

Smith was received media backlash and quickly apologised, but his failed attempt at humour showed the type of sexism that

female athletes have to put up with everyday.

The Norwegian team at the Women’s World Cup, however, is having none of that.

Three members of the Norwegian team worked with journalist Nicolay Ramm to produce a video, which brilliantly satirises the

belittling criticisms and complaints, many women’s sports and female athletes get from male sports fans.

I tend to pick up the ball with my hands. Suddenly, I forget myself and…’Oh crap. Handball.’”

The Norwegian team takes on England today in its first knockout-stage match after finishing second to Germany.

Italian Women’s Cup Final Cancelled After Lesbian Comments from Official

The Italian women’s cup final has been called off as a result of alleged comments by Felice Belloli, the president of the county’s amateur football association, referring to female players as a “bunch of lesbians”.

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Brescia were due to play Tavagnacco last weekend, but the match has been scrapped, the association representing female players and coaches, has confirmed.

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

Belloli allegedly made the comments when discussing funding for women’s football in Italy. At a meeting of the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti he is alleged to have said:

That’s enough, we can’t always talk about giving money to this bunch of lesbians.”

Belloli was quick to deny making the comments, making a statement to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

I never signed those minutesCan you see my signature on them? No, and I can tell you why – because minutes can be taken and amended by anybody. I know how the minutes are taken at the LND. All I am saying is that I did not utter that phrase.”

Patrizia Panico, the veteran Verona and Italy forward, said that if the comments were accurate then they were “sexist, male chauvinist and ignorant”.

Luisa Rizzitelli, president of Italy’s national association for female athletes, said:

To be honest I thought it was a joke but when we realised it wasn’t a joke we immediately wrote to the federation to ask for an immediate investigation. It’s hugely damaging. We have a women’s football movement with 11,000 athletes in Italy, you can imagine we have one million playing men’s football. All the players have said to the federation that they don’t want to play the final, so now the game is not going ahead. If he (Belloli) resigns the game could still be played.”

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 Footballer Casey Stoney Thought Coming Out Would End Her Career

Former England football captain Casey Stoney came out in February 2014. In an interview with Sky Sports, the 32-year-old said that the support after she came out was “overwhelming”.

When I was initially asked to do a piece, I sat down with my family and my partner and I have to be honest, I was absolutely petrified. I didn’t know what the response would be. I thought it would be negative and it was completely the opposite – it was overwhelmingly positive. Yes I’ve had a few negatives, and yes I’ve had a few things sent that were not very nice through the post, but I’ve got to say that’s a rarity. It’s been 98-99 per cent positive.”

Also read:  Finding ‘Out’ male footballers maybe a challenge, but not in Women’s Football

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She has been sent texts through the post complaining that she is openly gay, but she said she had learned to deal with it.

The fact that people have reached out and said how much it’s been supportive to them and helped them, that was all it was about really, to make sure other people didn’t feel isolated and lost like I did when I was growing up.”

Casey became a mother to twins with her partner, former Lincoln player Megan Harris last November. She will also be going to Canada 2015 as part of the England squad.

‘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.

Positive Role Model – Former England Captain, Casey Stoney on Motherhood and Gay Parenting

Former England Captain and women’s footballer Casey Stoney and her partner Megan Harris, announced that they are expecting twins, saying they hoped being gay parents in the public eye will send a positive message.

In a column for BBC Sport, Stoney, former reflected on becoming a mum in a same-sex relationship, and how motherhood is taboo in women’s football because time off from playing is usually required.

Being gay parents may not be that common in football but, in my view, as long as children have the love and support they need, then it shouldn’t matter whether they are brought up by two mums, two dads or a mum and a dad. What does a normal family look like now anyway? There isn’t one and I would hope there would be no negativity around our situation.”

She continues:

I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved and I’m not ashamed of who I am. Hopefully, when our two get older they will look at their mum and be proud too.”

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.


Lianne-Sanderson-011. 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.


Jessica-Landström-012. 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.


Isabell-Herlovsen-013. 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.


Trine-Ronning-014. 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.


Nadine-Angerer5. 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.”


Linda-Bresonik6. 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.


Inka-Grings7. 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.


Ursula-Holl8. 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.


Joanna-Lohman9. 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.


Sarah-Walsh10. 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.