US Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe is one of the most popular female athletes in the world. Formerly the USWNT captain, she now leads the Ol Reign team in the National Women’s Soccer League.

The world best knows her for her performance in the 2019 World Cup. Additionally, her performance also won her the Best FIFA Women’s player of that year.

Speaking to Pernille Harder and Magda Erikkson, who are a same-sex couple and both professional soccer players for Chelsea, Rapinoe addressed the lack of male athletes coming out.

Megan Rapinoe wants a safer sporting world for closeted male athletes

Pernille Harder and Magda Eriksson are popular players for Premier League club Chelsea. Additionally, they are an iconic same-sex couple who have been dating since 2014.

Talking to them for SkySports, Rapinoe discussed the platform that global sportspersons have. In fact, Magda and Pernille themselves acknowledged and appreciated their own platform through which they could, and have advocated same-sex relationships in sport.

Moreover, Megan Rapinoe herself is in a same-sex relationship with WNBA star Sue Bird. In fact, the two will soon tie the nuptial knot as well. In that vein, Rapinoe also addressed why there aren’t any out male players in elite sports.

“It’s not safe. They don’t feel safe,” she said. Rapinoe also explained why she thinks this is the case. “They (male players) feel like they’re going to get abuse from fans, they’re going to be kicked off teams, have slurs thrown at them, whatever it is”.

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“Until it is safe,” she continued, “we won’t see any male players (come out),” Megan stated. On the other hand, she compared the situation to the “women’s side”, which she considers safer.

“We have a lot of camaraderie just between ourselves and a lot more people coming out,” she said.

Rapinoe’s advice for the sporting world

When Magda and Pernille asked Megan for any advice she might have for any fan who might be watching, Megan responded from where she thought the problem began.

According to Megan, the problem begins with “non-gay” or “non-LGBTQ” people. Then, she addressed everyone in the sporting culture, from fans to audiences in stadiums. “You have a responsibility to think about what you’re saying,” she said.

Furthermore, she also asked them to “ensure that you’re creating an environment around yourself or with your friends and family that is welcoming and opening”.

Finally, she also spoke out to “people who are closeted or struggling, or trying to figure out who they are”. She asked them to seek community, either online or in school. “It’s really really important to talk to people,” she finished.

How much do you agree with Megan Rapinoe’s comments?

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