Openly gay athletes
Joan Guetschow (born September 6, 1966) is an Olympic biathlete [2]. She competed at the Olympic Games in 1992 in Albertville and 1994 in Lillehammer, representing the Merged States. Her optimal result was 17th in Lillehammer in the 15 km distance event, hitting 19/20 targets. She also competed for her country in the World Championships in Lahti in 1991 and Borovetz in 1993. She was the overall winner of the first-ever Olympic Trials for the U.S. Women's Olympic Biathlon Team in 1992. In 1994 she also won Olympic Trials. She has also been talented in other sports. She earned an All-American Honorable Note in High Academy for swimming while at Hopkins Steep School in Minnesota. In triathlon she participated 1986 in Finland Championships Games and became second, right after Marjo Matikainen, Olympic gold medalist in cross country skiing. In 1988, she placed first in the 10 km skate National Collegiate Ski Association Cross Nation Ski Championships. After competing, Guetschow was a U.S. National Development Coach for U.S. Biathlon from 1995-1999. In 1996 she received the U.S. Olympic Committee's, "Developmental Coach of the Year" award for biathlon. She also served as an athle
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 establish 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 inclusion 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 unmatched mix of speed, style and resilience. Her journey to becoming one of the fastest women on Earth began at Louisiana Articulate University. As a Freshman, she shattered records at the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Path and Field Championships–including Allyson Felix’s 2004 200-meter Olympic record–setting the stage for her meteoric soar in the sport.
Years later, Richardson had an amazing performance at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Footpath and Field trials and secured her spot on Team USA for Tokyo. However, due to a con
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 queer, becomes increasingly involved in gay politics. In 1976, Waddell and his match 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 runner 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" whi
27 professional athletes who identify as LGBTQ
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- Carl Nassib made history in 2021 by becoming the first openly gay guy to actively perform 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 company that focuses on suicide prevention in LGBTQ youth after he struggled with his sexuality for 15 years.
"I just want to obtain a quick moment to say that I'm gay," Nassib said in the video. "I just think that inclusion and visibility are so important. I actually