Difference between revisions of "World Sports Champions Who Identify as LGBTQ"

Latest revision as of 13:55, 15 September 2024

To achieve the status of world champion in a sport is to achieve the pinnacle of success. This list of out LGBTQ individuals have achieved that level and recognition. The diversity of sports and countries represented reveals that competitive superiority in athletics is not dependent on sexual orientation.

It is notable that world champions broadly exists across the LGBTQ spectrum. While many of these individuals did not reveal their sexual orientation during competition, their presence creates a cadre of role models and mentors to others who either have come out or are considering the process of doing so. Many of the individuals who came out prior to winning their world championship status have stated that coming out mentally freed them to better compete by removing the pressure of hiding that aspect of themselves. Those who came out subsequent to their honour discuss the hyper-aggressive culture of bias and homophobia that pressured them to stay in the closet, as well as the financial risk of being publicly out (through loss of sponsorship, for example).

As world champions, these individuals have become recognized individuals nationally and often internationally. They have received many additional honours and awards as a result. Many of them broke down regional barriers and stereotypes, both when they competed and when they were declared victors.

Given all of this, why can there not be a more concerted effort by the group themselves to join together to take a stand on homophobia in sports around the world?

Note that this list of individuals does not include Olympic gold medal athletes, but rather focuses on those who have competed in organized World Championship competitions. We have identified individuals from Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the United States, France, Germany, Great Britain, Scotland, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Puerto Rico, and Belgium. Simply click on their names to access more information on their fascinating biographies.

Arm Wrestling

• Dot Jones, United States

Badminton

• Kamilla Rytter Juhl, Denmark

Baseball

• Haylie McCleney, United States

Basketball

• Jennifer Azzi, United States
• Sue Bird, United States
• Carol Blazejowski, United States
• Candice Dupree, United States
• Desiree Miller, United States
• Cindy Ouellet, United States
• Breanna Stewart, United States
• Sheryl Swoopes, United States
• Penny Taylor, Australia
• Stephanie Wheeler, United States
• Laurie Williams, Great Britain

Bowling

• Scott Norton, United States

Boxing

• Michele Aboro, Great Britain
• Nicola Adams, Great Britain
• Beatriz Ferreira, Brazil
• Emile Griffith, United States
• Kellie Harrington, Ireland
• Christy Martin, United States
• Nesthy Petecio, The Philippines
• Lauren Price, Great Britain

Canoe

• Sandra Forgues, France
• Emma Wiggs, Great Britain

Cricket

• Katherine Brunt
• Megan Schutt
• Natalie Sciver

Curling

• Bruce Mouat, Scotland

Cycling

• Judith Arndt, Germany
• Camille Balanche, Switzerland
• Perris Benegas, United States
• Katie-George Dunlevy, Ireland
• Missy Giove, United States
• Crystal Lane-Wright, Great Britain
• Rachel McKinnon, Canada
• Graeme Obree, Scotland
• Marie Patouillet, France
• Hannah Roberts, United States
• Petra Rossner, Germany
• Linda Villumsen, New Zealand
• Marianne Vos, The Netherlands

Diving

• Tom Daley, Great Britain
• Mathew Helm, Australia
• Greg Louganis, United States

Equestrian

• Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, Denmark
• Lee Pearson, Great Britain

Fencing

• Tommaso Marini, Italy

Field Hockey

• Alyson Annan, Australia
• Chantal de Bruijn, The Netherlands
• Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel, The Netherlands
• Kim Lammers, The Netherlands
• Anne Veenendaal, The Netherlands

Football/Soccer

• Linda Bresonik, Germany
• Tierna Davidson, United States
• Jill Ellis, United States
• Adrianna Franch, United States
• Sami Grisafe, United States
• Ashlyn Harris, United States
• Lauren Hemp, Great Britain
• Jenni Hermoso, Spain
• Ursula Holl, Germany
• Sarah Huffman, United States
• Steffi Jones, Germany
• Ali Krieger, United States
• Linda Medalen, Norway
• Kelley O'Hara, United States
• Megan Rapinoe, United States
• Briana Scurry, United States

Golf

• Lana Lawless, United States

Gymnastics

• Karin Buttner-Janz, Germany
• Danell Leyva, United States
• Arthur Nory, Brazil
• Alexander Renkert, United States

Handball

• Anja Andersen, Denmark
• Camilla Andersen, Denmark
• Alexandra Lacrabere, France

Ice Hockey

• Gillian Apps, Canada
• Julie Chu, United States
• Nancy Drolet, Canada
• Meghan Duggan, United States
• Jayna Hefford, United States
• Kathleen Kauth, United States
• Charline Labonte, Canada
• Marie-Philip Poulin, Canada
• Caroline Ouellette, Canada
• Angela Ruggiero, United States
• Laura Stacey, Canada
• Sarah Vaillancourt, Canada

Ice Skating

• Brian Boitano, United States
• Jeffrey Buttle, United States
• John Curry, Great Britain
• Randy Gardner, United States
• Ondrej Nepela, Slovakia
• Brian Orser, Canada
• Eric Radford, Canada
• Ronald Robertson, United States
• Johnny Weir, United States

Jiu-Jitsu

• William Seth-Wenzel, Sweden

Judo

• Irene de Kok, The Netherlands
• Rafaela Silva, Brazil

Race Walking

• Maria Perez, Spain

Rock Climbing

• Alex Johnson, United States

Rowing

• Nikki Ayers, Australia
• Robbie Manson, New Zealand
• Lauren Rowles, Great Britain
• Gearoid Towey, Ireland

Rugby

• Louisa Wall, New Zealand
• Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, New Zealand

Sailing

• Jolanta Ogar, Poland

Skiing

• Nat Brown, United States
• Brian Olsen, United States
• Anja Parson, Sweden
• Erik Schinegger, Austria

Speed Skating

• Brittany Bowe, United States
• Sanne van Kerkhof, The Netherlands
• Chris Witty, United States

Squash

• Carin Clonda, Australia
• Jenny Duncalf, Great Britain
• Rachael Grinham, Australia

Surfing

• Keala Kennelly, United States

Swimming

• Mark Chatfield, United States
• Ana Marcela Cunha, Brazil
• Mark Foster, Great Britain
• Theresa Goh, Singapore
• Daniel Kowalski, Australia
• Jeremy Stravius, France
• Ian Thorpe, Australia

Table Tennis

• Kelly Sibley, Great Britain

Tennis

• Gigi Fernandez, Puerto Rico
• Martina Navratilova, United States

Track & Field

• Shawn Barber, Canada - Pole Vaulting
• Kajsa Bergqvist, Sweden - High Jump
• Sabine Braun, Germany - Heptathlete
• Kerron Clement, United States - Hurdles
• Colin Jackson, Great Britain - Hurdles
• Harriet Metcalf, United States
• Steffi Nerius, Germany - Javelin
• Yulimar Rojas, Venezuela - triple jump
• Caster Semenya, South Africa - track
• Marieke Vervoort, Belgium - track

Volleyball

• Larissa Franca, Brazil
• Jackie Silva, Brazil

Weightlifting

• Janae Marie Kroc, United States
• Chris Morgan, Great Britain

Wrestling

• AC Mack, United States

See Also

• LGBTQ Athletes Who Have Won Olympic Gold
• LGBTQ Professional and Amateur Sports Coaches
• LGBTQ Sports Referees and Umpires
• LGBTQ Personal Trainers and Lifestyle Coaches
• LGBTQ Cyclists
• LGBTQ Tennis
• LGBTQ Figure Skaters
• Lesbian Football/Soccer Players
• Professional LGBTQ Mixed Martial Artists
• The Community of LGBTQ Boxers
• LGBTQ Presence in the Equestrian World
• The World of LGBTQ Golf
• LGBTQ Sports Management
• LGBTQ Track & Field
• Lesbian Professional Basketball Players and Coaches

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