As society becomes more accepting of people from the LGBTQ community, the sports world also has opened up. There are many trailblazing athletes and coaches who have stood up for their rights and the rights of others. Sports speakers from the LGBTQ community speak about issues like equality and gender equity. They make great presenters for a variety of different groups and organizations looking to promote an inclusive environment.
First Openly Gay Football Player Drafted Into The NFL
As the first openly gay athlete drafted into the NFL, Michael Sam has been a role model and trailblazer for inclusion in sports. Sam was a seventh round pick of the St. Louis Rams and also spent time
First Active Gay Player in the NBA
Jason Collins began his NBA career with the New Jersey Nets in 2001 after an All-American career at Stanford University. In his rookie year with the Nets he played a significant role in the team’s fi
Retired Rugby Player and First Public Gay Athlete
Gareth Thomas is a retired rugby player. Thomas’ rugby career began when he was a child at Pencoed RFC. His first class career began at Bridgend before he moved to Pontypridd. On May 27, 1995, Thomas
Basketball Hall of Famer, Retired 13-Time WNBA All-Star and Five-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
Sue Bird is one of the WNBA's all-time legends. Her entire 20-year career was spent with the Seattle Storm and she was a 13-time All-Star. Bird won four WNBA titles. She was named to the 10th, 15th, 2
Olympic Figure Skating Gold Medalist
Brian Boitano is a former professional figure skater who represented the United States in various international competitions. Early in his amateur career Boitano won many competitions, including a bro
Retired Eight-Time WNBA All-Star and Four-Time WNBA Champion
Seimone Augustus joined the Minnesota Lynx in 2006 as the No. 1 overall pick after an All-American career at Louisiana State University. During her career at LSU she led the Tigers to three consecutiv
Mixed Martial Arts Fighter
Liz Carmouche is a mixed martial artist and competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Carmouche s intensity comes from her background in the United States Marine Co
Seven-Time All-Star and Two-Time WNBA MVP
Elena Delle Donne received national recognition as a high schooler as she led her team to 3 straight high school state championships scoring over 2,000 career points and set a national high school rec
Two-Time World Cup Champion Head Coach of the U.S. Women's National Team
Jill Ellis is one of the most successful coaches in the history of American soccer. Ellis oversaw the U.S. women's national soccer team for five years, winning eight major tournaments and only losing
Former Middle Tennessee Kicker
On the outside, Alan Gendreau seemed like any other college athlete when he kicked for Middle Tennessee from 2008-11. However, Gendreau came out as gay to his Blue Raiders teammates. His story was c
Iconic Tennis Player and Winner 12 Grand Slam Singles Titles
Billie Jean King has been one of the 20th centurys most influential and respected people. As a former number 1 in the world as a professional tennis player, she won 39 Grand Slams, including 16 women
ESPN Writer, Producer & Host
LZ Granderson is an American journalist for ESPN and CNN. His candor about being gay has given him a unique platform in the sports media world. Granderson is best known for his writing online and in
Ten-Time WNBA All-Star
Brittney Griner is one of the greatest centers in women's basketball history. Griner spent her entire career with the Phoenix Mercury, becoming a 10-time WNBA All-Star before joining the Atlanta Dream
U.S. Women's National Team Goalkeeper
Ashlyn Harris is the goalkeeper for the U.S. women s national soccer game. She first joined the national team in 2013 and serves as the primary backup for Hope Solo. Harris was a member of the team
First Openly Gay Action Sports Athlete
Gus Kenworthy made history in 2015 when he became the first openly gay action sports athlete. He is also one of the most talented skiers in the world. Kenworthy has won the AFP World Championship in 2
U.S. Women’s National Soccer Player
Ali Krieger is a member of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and a defender for the National Women’s Soccer League’s Orlando Pride. Krieger played in all 600 minutes of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World
Four-Time Olympic Diving Gold Medalist
Greg Louganis became an American hero when he brought home gold medals from the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games in diving. With a background in dance, gymnastics and acrobatics, Louganis became involved
Retired Three-Time WNBA Champion and Six-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
Retired WNBA star Diana Taurasi is widely considered to be among the best all-around women’s basketball players in the history of the game. Taurasi was the ultimate winner, capturing three national ch
Professional Soccer Player for the LA Galaxy
Robbie Rogers plays as a winger, a second striker, and left back in Major League Soccer for the LA Galaxy club. At the young age of four and a half he began playing soccer at the American Youth Soccer
2018 Olympic Figure Skater
Adam Rippon was born November 11, 1989 and is an American figure skater. He is the 2010 Four Continents champion and 2016 U.S. national champion. Earlier in his career, he won the 2008 and 2009 World
First Active NFL Player to Announce He is Gay
Carl Nassib took a big step for many on June 21, 2021. Nassib came out via Instagram announcing he was gay. He is the first active NFL player to publically come out. As he made his announcement, Nassi
One of the Top 100 Meter Sprinters in the World
Sha'Carri Richardson is a top American sprinter and one of the fastest women in the world. Richardson first made her presence known in track field while at college at LSU. She won the 100 meters whi
WNBA Player Who is the First Transgender Athlete in League History
Layshia Clarendon plays for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association and has made history as the first transgender player in WNBA history. They played college basketball at th
Olympic Medalist in the 1500 Meter Freestyle
Erica Sullivan reached her Olympic dream at the Tokyo Olympics. Sullivan finished behind American swimming legend Katie Ledecky with a silver in the 1500-meter freestyle. Sullivan rising to the top of
Olympic Silver Medalist in Shot Put
Raven Saunders made a powerful statement while winning a silver medal in shot put at the Tokyo Olympics. Saunders threw up an X on the medal podium, something she said symbolizes, "It’s the intersecti
Legendary U.S. Goalkeeper, National Soccer Hall of Famer, Two Time Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup Champion and Concussion Awareness Advocate
Briana Scurry was the goalkeeper for the U.S. women's national soccer team that an entire generation of girls looked up to. Scurry was part of the 1999 World Cup champion team and also won gold medals
First Openly LGBT NFL Coach
Katie Sowers first broke through the glass ceiling by becoming just the second woman hired to be a full-time NFL coach. She was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an offensive assistant in 2017. Sow
First Openly Gay Male NFL Coach
Kevin Maxen is making history as the first openly gay coach in the NFL and the first LGBTQ male coaching in major American pro sports. Maxen is currently an assistant strength and conditioning coach f
CEO of the Dallas Mavericks
Rick Welts is the current CEO of the Dallas Mavericks after a successful run with the Golden State Warriors. Welts served as President and Chief of Operations for the Warriors, who won four NBA champi
Team USA 1500 Meters Star and American Record Holder in the Mile
Nikki Hiltz is a standout for Team USA in the 1500 meters. They qualified for the 2024 Olympics by setting a U.S. Trials record in the event. The year prior, HIltz won their first National Outdoor Cha
Two-Time Olympian and Three-Time U.S. National Champion
Johnny Weir is a star on ice and one of the most decorated American male figure skaters in history. In 2001 he put his name on the map by capturing the 2001 World Junior Championship, which solidified
Two-Time Olympic Speed Skating Medalist
<p>Brittany Bowe is a retired American speed skater and former inline skater. Starting inline skating at age eight, she amassed 32 World Championship medals before transitioning to ice speed skating i
As society becomes more accepting of people from the LGBTQ community, the sports world also has opened up. There are many trailblazing athletes and coaches who have stood up for their rights and the rights of others. Sports speakers from the LGBTQ community speak about issues like equality and gender equity. They make great presenters for a variety of different groups and organizations looking to promote an inclusive environment.
Basketball Hall of Famer, Retired 13-Time WNBA All-Star and Five-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
Retired Eight-Time WNBA All-Star and Four-Time WNBA Champion
Two-Time World Cup Champion Head Coach of the U.S. Women's National Team
Iconic Tennis Player and Winner 12 Grand Slam Singles Titles
Retired Three-Time WNBA Champion and Six-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
One of the Top 100 Meter Sprinters in the World
WNBA Player Who is the First Transgender Athlete in League History
Legendary U.S. Goalkeeper, National Soccer Hall of Famer, Two Time Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup Champion and Concussion Awareness Advocate
Team USA 1500 Meters Star and American Record Holder in the Mile
Two-Time Olympian and Three-Time U.S. National Champion
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