Random Greatest Gay Icons in Sports (27 items)

• 

  (#7) Jason Collins

  • 40

  NBA player Jason Collins came out as gay in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine in 2013. He is the first active athlete to come out as gay in any of the major American sports. His announcement provoked mixed reactions from his fellow players and the media.
  
• 

  (#6) Martina Navratilova

  • 62

  Tennis great Martina Navratilova came out publicly in 1981. She is an outspoken advocate for gay rights.
  
• 

  (#22) Kye Allums

  • 30

  Kye Allums was the first openly transgender athlete in the NCAA. He is now a LGBT mentor and advocate.
  
• 

  (#17) Justin Fashanu

  • Dec. at 37 (1961-1998)

  Soccer player Justin Fashanu came out as gay in 1990. He is the first English professional soccer player to come out as gay. Sadly, he committed suicide in 1998.
  
• 

  (#4) Matthew Mitcham

  • 30

  Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham publicly came out in 2008. He has stated, "I don’t see sexuality as influencing my beliefs or opinions or perceptions of anybody, whether they’re gay, straight, bi, trans, experimental, I don’t care. I see it as a very uninfluential factor in people."
• 

  (#14) Bill Bean

  • 54

  MLB player Billy Bean came out as gay in 1999, after he retired. He is now a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Athletics Foundation.

New Random Displays    Display All By Ranking