Most Famous LGBTQ+ Athletes Who've Made History

For young LGBTQ+ athletes, witnessing professionals receiving success in sports and off it offers inspiration, courage, and belongingness. Over the years, several pioneering athletes have excelled in their aspects of sport, only to break down various stereotypes to allow for greater acceptance in the athletic world.

Billie Jean King : Tennis Legend and Advocate

Billie Jean King has been a significant name in the tennis world for ages now. The win over Bobby Riggs brought into the mainstream debate about women in sports, the May of 1973 being called the defining moment for women in sport, yet, it transcended tennis. She came out publicly as a lesbian later on and married her doubles partner Ilana Kloss in 2018. In 2009, King was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highlighting her work on behalf of women and LGBTQ+ groups.


Glenn Burke : A Courageous Name in Baseball

In 1982, Glenn Burke made history by stepping into the big leagues as MLB's very first openly gay player, decades before there was more acceptance of the gay lifestyle in professional sports. He faced discrimination throughout his career that forced him into premature retirement but Burke never backed down on his principles.


Fallon Fox : Redefining MMA Boundaries

Fallon Fox made history by becoming the first openly transgender MMA fighter in the United States. Game Face (2015) was created to follow her voyage, sharing light on the social hurdles transgender athletes face's public scrutiny and debates on whether in fact one does have an unfair advantage. Fox's courage has served to open phases on acceptance and fairness in competitive sports.


Adam Rippon: Skating Into History

The trailblazer figure in skating was the one who had become the first openly gay man to represent the U.S. in the Winter Olympics. At Pyeongchang 2018, he skated brilliantly alongside teammates to win the bronze medal. Beyond the medals, Rippon's journey has offered inspiration to many adolescent athletes to take pride in their identity.


Carl Nassib : Bringing Acceptance in the NFL

In June 2021 Carl Nassib became the first active player in the NFL to call himself gay, an impetus for great social change. Nassib stressed the importance of an accepting atmosphere in professional sport and demonstrated how representation can affect change and perception regarding culture within teams and their fans.


By showing that being oneself and making it big are inseparable, these athletes gave their testimonies to empower young LGBTQ+ athletes to dream big, tear down walls, and play without fear, making it so that for the next generation, sport is a place for everybody.