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25 LGBTQ+ athletes you need to know about
Every moment of an athlete’s career—and oftentimes their personal lives—is placed on display, dissected by analysts, media, and in some instances betting sites to determine what their future season could look like. With such a public profession, it can be difficult for athletes to feel comfortable showing up in the world as their authentic selves, especially those who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Stacker highlighted 25 LGBTQ+ athletes from all over the world you should know about, using various data sources, including interviews from ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and more. These athletes have received accolades and made significant strides for the community. In a world often taught to fear difference or change, it’s important to recognize how the brave stances these individuals took paved the way for others to follow.
It might feel odd that these lists exist. Oftentimes it is easier for our brains to compartmentalize people into boxes or groups to keep track of them in our heads. Yet there’s a reason this topic is so important to dissect. Throughout these slides, you will see one word repeated quite often.
“First.”
You’ll notice the word mentioned numerous times on this list. Why? Because so many athletes were exactly that: the first. The first to come out openly in their sport. The first to come out openly in any sport. The first to come out openly while still playing the sport. These out LGBTQ+ athletes broke barriers—sometimes at the cost of their careers—so that future generations could safely exist in their chosen careers without fear.
Continue reading to learn about 25 of those trailblazing LGBTQ+ athletes.