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See Also
See Again
The most popular LGBT athletes around the world
- While sports continue to monopolize the world, the world of sports remains quite outdated in its treatment of LGBTQ athletes. It's no surprise then that very few athletes in top leagues choose to come out while playing. Fortunately, we've started to see changes in recent years—just look at how Megan Rapinoe has captured the globe’s attention. She not only made the brave move to be an openly gay athlete, but she also made an unwavering political statement by refusing to visit the White House should the US Women’s Soccer team win the 2019 FIFA World Cup—and then she was a critical part of taking that trophy home. In fact, the two teams competing in the finals had the highest number of out lesbian and bisexual players, Out Sports reports. Both the Netherlands and the US team have five out players each, which calls upon Rapinoe’s playful claim that “You can’t win a championship without gays on your team.” Of course, there are pioneers who came out long before we were even having these conversations, like tennis legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova. And those who chose to come out after their careers ended are trailblazers too. So check out this gallery to see 75 athletes from around the world, of times past and present, who came out as LGBT.
© Getty Images
0 / 76 Fotos
Abby Wambach
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
1 / 76 Fotos
Adam Rippon
- Sport: Figure skating Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
2 / 76 Fotos
Alison Van Uytvanck
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: Belgian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
3 / 76 Fotos
Amanda Nunes
- Sport: Mixed martial arts Nationality: Brazilian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
4 / 76 Fotos
Amélie Mauresmo
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: French Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
5 / 76 Fotos
Anastasia Bucsis
- Sport: Speed skating Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
6 / 76 Fotos
Andreas Krieger
- Sport: Shot put Nationality: German (competed for East Germany) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender man
© Getty Images
7 / 76 Fotos
Angela James
- Sport: Hockey Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
8 / 76 Fotos
Anja Hammerseng-Edin
- Sport: Handball Nationality: Norwegian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: Married to Gro Hammerseng-Edin
© Reuters
9 / 76 Fotos
Gro Hammerseng-Edin
- Sport: Handball Nationality: Norwegian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Bisexual Special Note: Married to Anja Hammerseng-Edin
© Reuters
10 / 76 Fotos
Anja Pärson
- Sport: Alpine skiing Nationality: Swedish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
11 / 76 Fotos
Ari-Pekka Liukkonen
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: Finnish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Reuters
12 / 76 Fotos
Balian Buschbaum
- Sport: Pole vault Nationality: German Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender man
© Getty Images
13 / 76 Fotos
Barbara Jezeršek
- Sport: Cross-country skiing Nationality: Slovenian, Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
14 / 76 Fotos
Belle Brockhoff
- Sport: Snowboarding Nationality: Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
15 / 76 Fotos
Bianca Sierra
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Mexican (but American-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: In a relationship with Stephany Mayor
© Reuters
16 / 76 Fotos
Stephany Mayor
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Mexican (but American-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: In a relationship with Bianca Sierra
© Getty Images
17 / 76 Fotos
Billie Jean King
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
18 / 76 Fotos
Billy Bean
- Sport: Baseball Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
19 / 76 Fotos
Caitlyn Jenner
- Sport: Decathlon Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender woman
© Getty Images
20 / 76 Fotos
Caster Semenya
- Sport: Running Nationality: South African Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
21 / 76 Fotos
Célio Dias
- Sport: Judo Nationality: Portuguese Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
22 / 76 Fotos
Chris Mosier
- Sport: Triathlon Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender man
© Getty Images
23 / 76 Fotos
Collin Martin
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay Special Note: Pictured in white
© Reuters
24 / 76 Fotos
Daniela Iraschko-Stolz
- Sport: Ski jumping Nationality: Austrian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
25 / 76 Fotos
Dave Kopay
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
26 / 76 Fotos
David Testo
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay Special Note: Pictured in yellow
© Getty Images
27 / 76 Fotos
Diana Taurasi
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: Married to Penny Taylor
© Getty Images
28 / 76 Fotos
Penny Taylor
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Queer Special Note: Married to Diana Taurasi
© Getty Images
29 / 76 Fotos
Donal Óg Cusack
- Sport: Hurling Nationality: Irish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
30 / 76 Fotos
Eric Radford
- Sport: Pair skating Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
31 / 76 Fotos
Esera Tuaolo
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
32 / 76 Fotos
Fernanda Pinilla
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Chilean Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: Pictured in red, center
© Reuters
33 / 76 Fotos
Gareth Thomas
- Sport: Rugby Nationality: Welsh Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
34 / 76 Fotos
Graeme Obree
- Sport: Cycling Nationality: Scottish (but English-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
35 / 76 Fotos
Greg Louganis
- Sport: Diving Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
36 / 76 Fotos
Gus Kenworthy
- Sport: Freestyle skiing Nationality: American (but English-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
37 / 76 Fotos
Helen Richardson-Walsh
- Sport: Field hockey Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Queer Special Note: Married to Kate Richardson-Walsh
© Getty Images
38 / 76 Fotos
Kate Richardson-Walsh
- Sport: Field hockey Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Queer Special Note: Married to Helen Richardson-Walsh
© Getty Images
39 / 76 Fotos
Ian Matos
- Sport: Diving Nationality: Brazilian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
40 / 76 Fotos
Ian Thorpe
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
41 / 76 Fotos
Ireen Wüst
- Sport: Speed skating Nationality: Dutch Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Bisexual
© Getty Images
42 / 76 Fotos
Jackie Silva
- Sport: Beach volleyball Nationality: Brazilian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Reuters
43 / 76 Fotos
Jaiyah Saelua
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Samoan Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender woman
© Getty Images
44 / 76 Fotos
Jason Collins
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
45 / 76 Fotos
John Amaechi
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: English (but American-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
46 / 76 Fotos
Johnny Weir
- Sport: Figure skating Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
47 / 76 Fotos
Justin Fashanu
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
48 / 76 Fotos
Kwame Harris
- Sport: American football Nationality: American (but Jamaican-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
49 / 76 Fotos
Liz Carmouche
- Sport: Mixed martial arts Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
50 / 76 Fotos
Louisa Wall
- Sport: Rugby, netball Nationality: New Zealander Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
51 / 76 Fotos
Mapi León
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Spanish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: Pictured in red
© Reuters
52 / 76 Fotos
Mark Foster
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
53 / 76 Fotos
Mark Tewksbury
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Reuters
54 / 76 Fotos
Marnie McBean
- Sport: Rowing Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Reuters
55 / 76 Fotos
Martina Navratilova
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: Czech, American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
56 / 76 Fotos
Matthew Mitcham
- Sport: Diving Nationality: Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
57 / 76 Fotos
Megan Rapinoe
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: In a relationship with Sue Bird
© Getty Images
58 / 76 Fotos
Sue Bird
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: American, Israeli Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: In a relationship with Megan Rapinoe
© Getty Images
59 / 76 Fotos
Mianne Bagger
- Sport: Golf Nationality: Danish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender woman
© Getty Images
60 / 76 Fotos
Michael Sam
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
61 / 76 Fotos
Nicola Adams
- Sport: Boxing Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Bisexual
© Getty Images
62 / 76 Fotos
Orlando Cruz
- Sport: Boxing Nationality: Puerto Rican Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
63 / 76 Fotos
Parinya Charoenphol
- Sport: Boxing Nationality: Thai Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Kathoey (third gender in Thai)
© Reuters
64 / 76 Fotos
Rachele Bruni
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: Italian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Reuters
65 / 76 Fotos
Ramona Bachmann
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Swiss Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
66 / 76 Fotos
Renée Richards
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender woman
© Getty Images
67 / 76 Fotos
Robbie Rogers
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
68 / 76 Fotos
Robert Páez
- Sport: Diving Nationality: Venezuelan Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
69 / 76 Fotos
Roy Simmons
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
70 / 76 Fotos
Ryan O'Callaghan
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
71 / 76 Fotos
Shawn Barber
- Sport: Pole vault Nationality: Canadian (but American-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
72 / 76 Fotos
Tadd Fujikawa
- Sport: Golf Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
73 / 76 Fotos
Thomas Hitzlsperger
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: German Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay Special Note: Pictured in white
© Getty Images
74 / 76 Fotos
Tom Daley
- Sport: Diving Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay See also: The famous faces who came out in 2018
© Getty Images
75 / 76 Fotos
The most popular LGBT athletes around the world
- While sports continue to monopolize the world, the world of sports remains quite outdated in its treatment of LGBTQ athletes. It's no surprise then that very few athletes in top leagues choose to come out while playing. Fortunately, we've started to see changes in recent years—just look at how Megan Rapinoe has captured the globe’s attention. She not only made the brave move to be an openly gay athlete, but she also made an unwavering political statement by refusing to visit the White House should the US Women’s Soccer team win the 2019 FIFA World Cup—and then she was a critical part of taking that trophy home. In fact, the two teams competing in the finals had the highest number of out lesbian and bisexual players, Out Sports reports. Both the Netherlands and the US team have five out players each, which calls upon Rapinoe’s playful claim that “You can’t win a championship without gays on your team.” Of course, there are pioneers who came out long before we were even having these conversations, like tennis legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova. And those who chose to come out after their careers ended are trailblazers too. So check out this gallery to see 75 athletes from around the world, of times past and present, who came out as LGBT.
© Getty Images
0 / 76 Fotos
Abby Wambach
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
1 / 76 Fotos
Adam Rippon
- Sport: Figure skating Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
2 / 76 Fotos
Alison Van Uytvanck
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: Belgian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
3 / 76 Fotos
Amanda Nunes
- Sport: Mixed martial arts Nationality: Brazilian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
4 / 76 Fotos
Amélie Mauresmo
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: French Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
5 / 76 Fotos
Anastasia Bucsis
- Sport: Speed skating Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
6 / 76 Fotos
Andreas Krieger
- Sport: Shot put Nationality: German (competed for East Germany) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender man
© Getty Images
7 / 76 Fotos
Angela James
- Sport: Hockey Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
8 / 76 Fotos
Anja Hammerseng-Edin
- Sport: Handball Nationality: Norwegian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: Married to Gro Hammerseng-Edin
© Reuters
9 / 76 Fotos
Gro Hammerseng-Edin
- Sport: Handball Nationality: Norwegian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Bisexual Special Note: Married to Anja Hammerseng-Edin
© Reuters
10 / 76 Fotos
Anja Pärson
- Sport: Alpine skiing Nationality: Swedish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
11 / 76 Fotos
Ari-Pekka Liukkonen
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: Finnish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Reuters
12 / 76 Fotos
Balian Buschbaum
- Sport: Pole vault Nationality: German Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender man
© Getty Images
13 / 76 Fotos
Barbara Jezeršek
- Sport: Cross-country skiing Nationality: Slovenian, Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
14 / 76 Fotos
Belle Brockhoff
- Sport: Snowboarding Nationality: Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
15 / 76 Fotos
Bianca Sierra
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Mexican (but American-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: In a relationship with Stephany Mayor
© Reuters
16 / 76 Fotos
Stephany Mayor
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Mexican (but American-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: In a relationship with Bianca Sierra
© Getty Images
17 / 76 Fotos
Billie Jean King
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
18 / 76 Fotos
Billy Bean
- Sport: Baseball Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
19 / 76 Fotos
Caitlyn Jenner
- Sport: Decathlon Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender woman
© Getty Images
20 / 76 Fotos
Caster Semenya
- Sport: Running Nationality: South African Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
21 / 76 Fotos
Célio Dias
- Sport: Judo Nationality: Portuguese Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
22 / 76 Fotos
Chris Mosier
- Sport: Triathlon Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender man
© Getty Images
23 / 76 Fotos
Collin Martin
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay Special Note: Pictured in white
© Reuters
24 / 76 Fotos
Daniela Iraschko-Stolz
- Sport: Ski jumping Nationality: Austrian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
25 / 76 Fotos
Dave Kopay
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
26 / 76 Fotos
David Testo
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay Special Note: Pictured in yellow
© Getty Images
27 / 76 Fotos
Diana Taurasi
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: Married to Penny Taylor
© Getty Images
28 / 76 Fotos
Penny Taylor
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Queer Special Note: Married to Diana Taurasi
© Getty Images
29 / 76 Fotos
Donal Óg Cusack
- Sport: Hurling Nationality: Irish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
30 / 76 Fotos
Eric Radford
- Sport: Pair skating Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
31 / 76 Fotos
Esera Tuaolo
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
32 / 76 Fotos
Fernanda Pinilla
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Chilean Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: Pictured in red, center
© Reuters
33 / 76 Fotos
Gareth Thomas
- Sport: Rugby Nationality: Welsh Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
34 / 76 Fotos
Graeme Obree
- Sport: Cycling Nationality: Scottish (but English-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
35 / 76 Fotos
Greg Louganis
- Sport: Diving Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
36 / 76 Fotos
Gus Kenworthy
- Sport: Freestyle skiing Nationality: American (but English-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
37 / 76 Fotos
Helen Richardson-Walsh
- Sport: Field hockey Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Queer Special Note: Married to Kate Richardson-Walsh
© Getty Images
38 / 76 Fotos
Kate Richardson-Walsh
- Sport: Field hockey Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Queer Special Note: Married to Helen Richardson-Walsh
© Getty Images
39 / 76 Fotos
Ian Matos
- Sport: Diving Nationality: Brazilian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
40 / 76 Fotos
Ian Thorpe
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
41 / 76 Fotos
Ireen Wüst
- Sport: Speed skating Nationality: Dutch Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Bisexual
© Getty Images
42 / 76 Fotos
Jackie Silva
- Sport: Beach volleyball Nationality: Brazilian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Reuters
43 / 76 Fotos
Jaiyah Saelua
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Samoan Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender woman
© Getty Images
44 / 76 Fotos
Jason Collins
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
45 / 76 Fotos
John Amaechi
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: English (but American-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
46 / 76 Fotos
Johnny Weir
- Sport: Figure skating Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
47 / 76 Fotos
Justin Fashanu
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
48 / 76 Fotos
Kwame Harris
- Sport: American football Nationality: American (but Jamaican-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
49 / 76 Fotos
Liz Carmouche
- Sport: Mixed martial arts Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
50 / 76 Fotos
Louisa Wall
- Sport: Rugby, netball Nationality: New Zealander Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
51 / 76 Fotos
Mapi León
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Spanish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: Pictured in red
© Reuters
52 / 76 Fotos
Mark Foster
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
53 / 76 Fotos
Mark Tewksbury
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Reuters
54 / 76 Fotos
Marnie McBean
- Sport: Rowing Nationality: Canadian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Reuters
55 / 76 Fotos
Martina Navratilova
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: Czech, American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
56 / 76 Fotos
Matthew Mitcham
- Sport: Diving Nationality: Australian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
57 / 76 Fotos
Megan Rapinoe
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: In a relationship with Sue Bird
© Getty Images
58 / 76 Fotos
Sue Bird
- Sport: Basketball Nationality: American, Israeli Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian Special Note: In a relationship with Megan Rapinoe
© Getty Images
59 / 76 Fotos
Mianne Bagger
- Sport: Golf Nationality: Danish Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender woman
© Getty Images
60 / 76 Fotos
Michael Sam
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
61 / 76 Fotos
Nicola Adams
- Sport: Boxing Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Bisexual
© Getty Images
62 / 76 Fotos
Orlando Cruz
- Sport: Boxing Nationality: Puerto Rican Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
63 / 76 Fotos
Parinya Charoenphol
- Sport: Boxing Nationality: Thai Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Kathoey (third gender in Thai)
© Reuters
64 / 76 Fotos
Rachele Bruni
- Sport: Swimming Nationality: Italian Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Reuters
65 / 76 Fotos
Ramona Bachmann
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: Swiss Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Lesbian
© Getty Images
66 / 76 Fotos
Renée Richards
- Sport: Tennis Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Transgender woman
© Getty Images
67 / 76 Fotos
Robbie Rogers
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
68 / 76 Fotos
Robert Páez
- Sport: Diving Nationality: Venezuelan Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
69 / 76 Fotos
Roy Simmons
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
70 / 76 Fotos
Ryan O'Callaghan
- Sport: American football Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
71 / 76 Fotos
Shawn Barber
- Sport: Pole vault Nationality: Canadian (but American-born) Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
72 / 76 Fotos
Tadd Fujikawa
- Sport: Golf Nationality: American Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay
© Getty Images
73 / 76 Fotos
Thomas Hitzlsperger
- Sport: Soccer Nationality: German Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay Special Note: Pictured in white
© Getty Images
74 / 76 Fotos
Tom Daley
- Sport: Diving Nationality: English Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity: Gay See also: The famous faces who came out in 2018
© Getty Images
75 / 76 Fotos
The most popular LGBT athletes around the world
Megan Rapinoe is just one of many legends, past and present
© Getty Images
While sports continue to monopolize the world, the world of sports remains quite outdated in its treatment of LGBTQ athletes. It's no surprise then that very few athletes in top leagues choose to come out while playing.
Fortunately, we've started to see changes in recent years—just look at how Megan Rapinoe has captured the globe’s attention. She not only made the brave move to be an openly gay athlete, but she also made an unwavering political statement by refusing to visit the White House should the US Women’s Soccer team win the 2019 FIFA World Cup—and then she was a critical part of taking that trophy home.
In fact, the two teams competing in the finals had the highest number of out lesbian and bisexual players, Out Sports reports. Both the Netherlands and the US team have five out players each, which calls upon Rapinoe’s playful claim that “You can’t win a championship without gays on your team.”
Of course, there are pioneers who came out long before we were even having these conversations, like tennis legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova. And those who chose to come out after their careers ended are trailblazers too.
So check out this gallery to see 75 athletes from around the world, of times past and present, who came out as LGBT.
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