This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
Published on July 9, 2019, the US women's football team's 2019 World Cup victory has been celebrated as a milestone for the LGBTQ+ community.
Star striker Megan Rapinoe, who was awarded the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, proudly declaring her sexual orientation in a sport where homosexuality is still a taboo.
"Go gays!" cheered Rapinoe, as the team celebrated their victory. "You can't win a championship without gays on your team -- it's never been done before, ever. That's science, right there!" she quipped, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in sports.
According to Dawn Ennis of Outsports, a media outlet specializing in sexual minorities in sports, being authentic and true to oneself is essential for personal growth and athletic performance. "Being authentic, being yourself, being true, makes you a better person," Ennis said. "It must make you a better athlete when you are not worrying about hiding a secret about who you are."
The US team's victory has sent a powerful message, with five openly lesbian players on the team, including Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger, who are engaged and soon to marry. Their defeated opponents, the Netherlands, also had five lesbian players in their line-up.
According to Outsports, around 40 of the women who played in the World Cup are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Ryan Adams, president of the North American Gay Soccer Association, believes that this trend will continue to grow, as more athletes feel empowered to be their authentic selves.
"They showed other countries that have closeted people and athletes that you can be your most authentic self and play among the best. It does amazing things for visibility," Adams said.
However, the US team's victory has also highlighted the double standard that exists in sports, with male players often facing homophobic abuse and stereotypes. French star Antoine Griezmann recently spoke out about the fear that male players have of coming out as gay, citing homophobic comments on social media and chants in the stadiums.
