Updated August 16, 2019 9.5k votes 1.3k voters 52.4k views
Professional sports can be a particularly world in which to be openly gay. A lot of homophobia remains today in many major sports, but several athletes have become LGBT trail blazers. Gay athletes have had successful careers in basketball, tennis, and football. and several Olympians have also become gay icons. This list features the greatest gay icons in sports.
Who is the most famous gay icon in sports? David Beckham, while not gay himself, has stated that he is proud to be a gay icon. WNBA player Sheryl Swoopes announced that she was gay in 2005 and multiple NBA stars and professional soccer players are seen as gay icons as well.
There is a growing list of Olympians who are also gay athletic icons. Olympic diver Greg Louganis, figure skater Johnny Weir, soccer player Megan Rapinoe, and German track and field star Balian Buschbaum are all openly gay.
Who do you think are the greatest gay icons in sports? Cast your votes below.
Rugby player Gareth Thomas announced that he was gay in 2009. He has stated, "I don't know if my life is going to be easier because I'm out, but if it helps someone else... then it will have been worth it."
In 2013, Ben Cohen was inducted into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame. He founded the The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, which works to stop bullying and homophobia.
Soccer player Robbie Rogers announced he was gay in 2013. He stated, "Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity. Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined."
