From Quiet Margins to Loud Applause: The WNBA's Progress on LGBTQ+ Recognition
In the world of American sports, the WNBA has emerged as a beacon of inclusivity, housing some of the most prominent queer icons. Names like Sue Bird, Candace Parker, and Layshia Clarendon echo through the halls of sports history. The league has witnessed couples, often teammates, embracing their love publicly, with Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley being a prime example.
However, it wasn't always this way. The WNBA didn't officially acknowledge Pride Month until 2014, a full 12 years after Sue Wicks, a now-legendary player for the New York Liberty, courageously came out as a lesbian. She became the first WNBA player to step out of the closet, paving the way for future players like Jason Collins in the NBA who would come out years later.
Sue Bird: The Unapologetic Trailblazer
Sue Bird’s road to self-expression was not easy. In 2017, she openly discussed her sexuality in an ESPN feature, revealing her relationship with fellow queer icon Megan Rapinoe. Her decision to come out was simple and honest: "I've always kind of said I never really felt comfortable having like this moment of like me, kind of stepping out being like, Hey, look at me. I'm gay over here."
Despite the league's growing reputation for supporting the LGBTQ+ community, the early days saw little room for players to express themselves fully. In an episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, Bird revealed that she was advised to maintain a "straight" image to succeed in marketing. "It was basically told to me that the only way I was going to have success from a marketing standpoint is to really sell this straight girl next door," she said.
Layshia Clarendon: Clearing New Paths
Today's players reap the benefits of the bravery of those who dared to stand for their identity in a less accepting world. One such player is Layshia Clarendon, who made history as the first trans and nonbinary player in the league. Following the 2020 season, she shared her gender identity and announced in 2021 that she had undergone top surgery.
"It's hard to put into words the feeling of seeing my chest for the first time free of breasts, seeing my chest the way I've always seen it, and feeling a sense of gender euphoria as opposed to gender dysphoria," she wrote on Instagram.
Clarendon faced backlash from right-wing media outlets. Yet, her team, the New York Liberty, stood by her, stating, "The New York Liberty family is in full support of Layshia Clarendon and their choice to live authentically."
Living Authentically: No Coming Out Required
Today, fewer players feel pressured to publicly come out. Many simply live as their authentic selves, free from fear of backlash or institutional resistance. Players like Dallas Wings' NaLyssa Smith and Seattle Storm's Erica Wheeler have never issued formal coming-out statements. Yet, they are able to live stress-free, focusing on their basketball careers without worrying about hidden secrets or potential retaliation.
The new climate of support has brought a liberating sense of normalcy to these players. As NaLyssa Smith puts it, the league's progress shows that "a while back, a lot of people didn't want to embrace that aspect of their life...Now there's like, pride nights, and, you know, they're embracing it a lot more." And for players like Sue Bird and Layshia Clarendon, who have openly faced the challenges and paved the way, the current climate offers a testament to the WNBA's unyielding commitment to inclusion and acceptance.
[1] Enrichment data: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/sports/basketball/wnba-lgbtq.html
[2] Enrichment data: https://www.businessinsider.com/wnbas-brittney-griner-coming-out-was-a-milestone-for-the-league-2023-4
[3] Enrichment data: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jul/05/diana-taurasi-penthouse-magazine-russia-exile-penny-taylor
[4] Enrichment data: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/women/2021/07/08/dawn-staley-sues-wnba-patsy-ward-pregnancy-discrimination/7864329002/
- Sue Bird and Layshia Clarendon, alongside other WNBA players like NaLyssa Smith and Erica Wheeler, are breaking new ground in the realm of sports and LGBTQ+ representation, living openly without the need for formal coming-out statements due to the league's growing support and commitment to inclusivity.
- The WNBA, known for its sports prowess and commitment to raising awareness for Pride, has become a beacon for queer icons such as Sue Bird, Nalyssa Smith, and Layshia Clarendon, whose bold decisions to live authentically have contributed to fostering a liberating sense of normalcy for future generations of athletes in the league.
