That’s often a lot harder for queer people than it is for cisgender, heterosexual people. It’s important for everyone, of any sexual orientation or gender identity, to feel some pride in who they are. “Pride” is such an apt word for LGBT+ celebrations because it’s what so many of us lacked for huge chunks of our lives. This means so much to thousands of people. Official team communications offer support for the players’ queer expression. Tierna Davidson was making Instagram cooking videos with her girlfriend before she was on the team. Adrianna Franch has been out for several years and is engaged. Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger are engaged and playing on the USWNT together. Now we have Megan Rapinoe yelling “ GO GAYS” and saying she would have no problem competing against trans women. Abby Wambach kissing her partner in the stands and Rapinoe describing herself as “ GAYYYYYYYY” only happened after decades of players feeling like their sexual orientation had to remain ambiguous at the absolute queerest in order to retain endorsement opportunities.īut at some point, cultural acceptance, corporate willingness to play ball and individual bravery all met at the same apex, giving us the wonderful gay ass USWNT that we get to enjoy today. The USWNT as a vehicle for LGBT+ pride is a pretty new phenomenon - it did not always feature out and vocally queer athletes. The biggest reason is the USWNT becoming a bastion of queer hope and excellence along a similar timeline to me coming to terms with being a bi woman, and realizing that was not something to be ashamed of. But as I’ve followed the team’s development and spoken to some of the players, I’ve come to like the team even more. I thought, I wish I could be like them when I grow up. I could live vicariously though the USWNT players. Also, they’re women, and even though I’d never heard of trans people before a few years ago, I knew I wanted to be a woman.
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I started being a fan when I was a kid because I like soccer, and they play soccer well.
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I’m supposed to cover the United States women’s national soccer team critically, and I try very hard to do that, but I’m also an unabashed fan of the team.