Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ sports community

Pride Month is celebrated in June to commemorate the June 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal turning point in the gay rights movement. Police raids on gay bars were common at the time, but the crowd at NYC’s Stonewall Inn on June 28th, 1969 fought back, sparking a wave of protests and a groundswell of momentum in the fight for equal rights.

• Many (but not all) discriminatory laws were struck down in the decades that followed, with increased gay representation in media and society at large.

Historically, the sports world has been unwelcoming to the LGBTQIA+ community, and homophobia and transphobia continue to be far too prevalent on and off the field of play. That said, there has been significant progress over the years that’s worthy of celebration.

From Billie Jean King to Martina Navratilova, plenty of women’s tennis legends have influenced the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. A lesser-known trailblazer on the court? Renée Richards, a trans athlete who won a lawsuit against the U.S. Tennis Association after they barred her from competing in the women’s draw at the 1976 U.S. Open.

• The New York Supreme Court ultimately ruled in Richards’ favor, and she advanced all the way to the doubles finals at the 1977 event. Talk about an ace.

Over on the basketball court, the WNBA leads the way in LGBTQIA+ inclusion, despite some infuriating decisions in the league’s early years. In 2002, the NY Liberty’s Sue Wicks was the first WNBA player to publicly come out, paving the way for a league that’s now loud and proud.

• Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is another W trailblazer — she casually mentioned her sexuality after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2013, inspiring countless other players to come out across the league.

As for the men’s leagues, back in 2021, Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out, a massive moment for the traditionally conservative and heteronormative league.

• Another name to know? Glenn Burke, MLB’s first openly gay player. The former LA Dodger and Oakland A (and inventor of the high five!) came out publicly in 1982, three years after his last MLB appearance. Putting the “out” in outfielder.

While women’s leagues have largely evolved into safe and welcoming spaces, the same can’t be said for men’s leagues, despite the aforementioned trailblazers.

Last year, MLB’s LA Dodgers found themselves in hot water after disinviting an LGBTQIA+ advocacy group called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from their Pride Night. Fortunately, the Dodgers promptly reinvited the group after being hit with warranted backlash.

• Sadly, not all Dodgers’ players were happy with the change. Legendary Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw said he did not agree with the team’s decision to include the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in the celebrations. Ugh.

On the ice, the NHL made headlines for all the wrong reasons last season when teams and players fumbled Pride Night celebrations. The NY Rangers opted out of wearing rainbow warmup jerseys during their own Pride Night, despite wearing the jerseys in prior years. Make it make sense.

We can all play a part in supporting LGBTQIA+ rights in sports, and loading up with knowledge is an easy place to start. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has a fact sheet on transgender athletes in sports that busts the myth that trans athletes inherently have a competitive advantage.

• Looking for dedicated content about LGBTQIA+ athletes? Look no further than Outsports. In addition to spotlighting athletes in the community, the outlet also sheds light on how the sports world is — and isn’t — becoming a more inclusive place.

Another organization putting in the hard work? Athlete Ally. The nonprofit offers educational materials, including research on the most inclusive NCAA athletic departments. You can join Athlete Ally’s mission by donating or visiting the org’s shop.