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The LGBTQ+ community is gaining more representation in sports
The Las Vegas Raiders’ Carl Nassib saw a surge in popularity after coming out as the NFL's first openly gay active player. His new transcendent fame has even pushed his jersey to the top of the charts league's retail charts. Nassib donated $100,000 to a leading LGBTQ+ charity; the NFL then matched his donation. And Nassib isn’t alone — more and more athletes are opening up about their sexual and gender identities.
Carl Nassib is the first active NFL player to identify as gay
"The NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today," Goodell said in a statement.
Many athletes have represented the LGBTQ+ community in sports
"My whole identity was based around football — and I didn't know if I'd play again," Russel said. "I needed to find happiness — both in who I am and outside of what I do for work.
Progress is being made for trans people in sports, but there’s work to be done
Despite the fact that more than 50,000 total Olympians have participated in the tournament since 2004, there has never been an openly transgender athlete at the Olympics.
Hubbard competed in men's events before coming out as transgender in 2013.
"We should never deny people's rights because a select few, in theory, could commit fraud," McKinnon said.
Favre also spoke out against the transgender BMX rider Chelsea Wolfe, who was selected as an alternate to Team USA's BMX freestyle event.
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