In an interview with Out Magazine Seattle Sounders midfield star, Magan Rapinoe came out publicly this week.  It’s always great when someone comes out and you just feel so happy for them but when it is an athlete I am always extra chuffed, after all, there aren’t that many.  It can’t be easy walking out into a stadium with tens of thousands of fans knowing that they can sing whatever they like at you, so when someone in that position comes out I think they deserve and extra big pat on the back.

If the name sounds familiar to you, and it should, then you are a soccer fan like myself and love to see as much women’s soccer as you can (if not look here).  The women’s world cup last year was deservedly well publicised and Megan’s contribution to the USA team was amazing, for me, typified by that pin point cross in the semi final against Brazil.  It was the 122nd minute and she placed the ball on teammate Abby Wambach’s head, she had to score, what a moment for both players to savour.

Megan never hid her sexuality, her coming out isn’t exactly a surprise, but that shouldn’t take away from what it is she is doing.  She is standing up and coming out in a position of great importance, so many young people, both boys and girls, really look up to sports stars and with the Olympics starting later this month, she has timed her statement to perfection.  In the interview she simply says

For the record: I am gay

Love it.

Her girlfriend of three years is also a soccer player, Sarah Walsh, she is a striker for Sydney FC and Australia.  How cool would it be if the USA played Australia, sadly the Ozzie’s didn’t qualify for the Olympics but perhaps one day.

When asked about the disparity beween coming out in the women’s game as opposed to the mens, Rapinoe says

In female sports, if you’re gay, most likely your team knows it pretty quickly, it’s very open and widely supported. For males, it’s not that way at all. It’s sad.

It is indeed sad, men seem to come out here and there in other sports but only one or two soccer players have ever made that move.  Lets hope Megan’s courageous moves shows them it can be done.