Thanks to these prominent athletes who are gay, the sports world is becoming more and more accepting of homosexual players. Whether these famous Olympians, tennis greats, and basketball players came out after they retired, or revealed their sexuality during their sports careers, they’ve paved the way for major LGTB sports progress.
Who is the most famous gay athlete? Football star Michael Sam made headlines in 2014 when he became the first openly gay athlete to be drafted into the NFL. But he definitely wasn’t the first homosexual athlete to find success. Olympic diver Greg Louganis is openly gay. He came out publicly in 1995 on The Oprah Show. And tennis star Billie Jean King was the first female athlete to publicly come out way back in 1981.
NBA player Jason Collins came out as gay in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine in 2013. He was the first active athlete to come out as gay in any of the major American sports. His announcement provoked mixed reactions from his fellow players and the media.
Are you surprised that so many professional athletes are gay? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy, who is perhaps best known for adoping puppies during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, came out as gay in 2015. He Tweeted the simple pronouncement, "I am gay."
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WNBA player Sheryl Swoopes announced that she was gay in 2005. She stated, "it doesn't change who I am. I can't help who I fall in love with. No one can." In 2011, she revealed that she was currently dating a man and believed that being gay was a choice.
Age: 49
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Brownfield, Texas, United States of America
Teams: Houston Comets, United States women's national basketball team, Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball
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