Lgbtq sports stars
According to OutSports, at least 155 out LGBTQ athletes from 25 countries will compete in this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.
In fact, historically, LGBTQ athletes have been so successful that if they were to form their own country (Team LGBTQ), they would place 7th overall in the all-time Olympic medal count.
From historic achievements, to personal journeys of resilience, these athletes not only embody sporting excellence but are contributing to the rich history of LGBTQ representation at the highest level of sport.
Sha’Carri Richardson, she/her | (USA – Track & Field)
Sha’Carri Richardson has etched her name into the annals of Track and Field with her peerless blend of speed, approach and resilience. Her journey to becoming one of the fastest women on Earth began at Louisiana State University. As a Freshman, she shattered records at the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Road and Field Championships–including Allyson Felix’s 2004 200-meter Olympic record–setting the stage for her meteoric rise in the sport.
Years later, Richardson had an amazing production at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials and secured her spot on Team USA for Tokyo. However, due to a cont
Bill Tilden, who does not hide his homosexuality, wins the men's singles title at Wimbledon. He goes on to win two more Wimbledon titles, seven U.S. championships, and leads U.S. teams to seven Davis Cup victories. In 1950, a survey of sportswriters names Tilden the greatest tennis player of the half-century. He dies in 1953.
Tom Waddell, a 30-year-old Army physician, places sixth in the Olympic decathlon. Waddell, who is openly homosexual, becomes increasingly involved in gay politics. In 1976, Waddell and his loved one Charles Deaton are the first gay men to be featured in the "Couples" section of People magazine. Five years later, Waddell forms San Francisco Arts and Athletics to plan the first "Gay Olympic Games."
David Kopay, an NFL running back who played for five teams (San Francisco, Detroit, Washington, New Orleans, Green Bay) between 1964-72, becomes the first professional team-sport competitor to come out -- doing so three years after retiring. He admits his homosexuality during an interview with the now-defunct Washington Star.
Billie Jean King is "outed" when ex-lover Marilyn Barnett sues her for "galimony" while
TOP 12 SPORTS PERSONALITIES
In alphabetical order
This category is for sportspersons that are either LGBT+ or hold proven to be strong advocates of the LGBT+ group in sport.
BETH MEAD
Beth is a footballer who plays for Arsenal and England. She was a national hero in 2022, netting six goals in the Euros and head England to victory on home turf. Her outstanding show earned her the Golden Boot, Player of the Tournament and Top Assist titles. She was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the first women’s footballer to win. She also finished runner-up for the Ballon d’Or and Uefa Player of the Year. Beth has been praised for her commitment to inspiring young women to play football, taking part in Uefa’s #WePlayStrong campaign. She recently starred in Sky doc Step by Step, which details the injury recovery of both Beth and her partner, and teammate, Vivianne Miedema.
CELIA QUANSAH
Leicester Tigers Women player Celia stood out in athletics during her teenage years, even competing alongside Jessica Ennis-Hill in the heptathlon at the British Championships. Celia didn’t obtain up rugby until she was 21 when she was scouted while studying at Loughb
LGBTQ athletes take their marks on the track at the Paris Olympic Games
This year's U.S. Olympic team has a star-studded cast of LGBTQ athletes headed to Paris.
At least 29 competitors are prepared to take on the international games, according to a database compiled by LGBTQ news outlet OutSports.
These athletes are just a handful of the LGBTQ advocacy to expect at the Olympic Games. OutSports recorded at least 151 LGBTQ athletes representing countries around the world that are set to take up the competition in Paris.
For the U.S., that inclusion will shine in sports across the athletic spectrum -- from basketball to rowing to rugby -- putting a spotlight on a community facing growing anti-LGBTQ sentiment across the globe.
"LGBTQ athletes have likely competed in the Olympics and Paralympics since the very first games in history, " said LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD in a statement. "Today, more athletes than ever are comfortable being out as their true, authentic selves and are embraced and supported by fans, fellow competitors, and sponsors."
On the track -- and in the field -- you'll find some newly minted Olympians to watch and som
27 professional athletes who identify as LGBTQ
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- Carl Nassib made history in 2021 by becoming the first openly gay gentleman to actively engage in the NFL.
- Sheryl Swoopes and Megan Rapinoe identify as lesbians.
- Caitlyn Jenner, Patricio Manuel, Fallon Fox, and Renée Richards are transgender athletes.
In 2021, Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out as gay.
In June 2021, NFL defensive end Carl Nassib came out as gay in a video posted to his Instagram, adding he donated $100,000 to The Trevor Project, an management that focuses on suicide prevention in LGBTQ youth after he struggled with his sexuality for 15 years.
"I just want to accept a quick moment to say that I'm gay," Nassib said in the video. "I just think that advocacy and visibility are so important. I actually hope that like one morning videos like this and the whole coming-out process are just not necessary, but until then I'm going