Out Athletes

A place kicker at Willamette University in Oregon, Mertens came out as bisexual to his team. He now comes out publicly in hopes of inspiring other LGBT athletes to come out and be true to themselves.

Collins will join Boston Marathon bombing survivors Carlos Arredondo and Jeff Bauman, among others.

Ryan Sanders was a highly regarded young pro rugby player in his native New Zealand who says he never was able to reach his full potential because he was deeply in the closet. Sanders gave an interview to the New Zealand Herald where he detailed his fears of being found out. "I kept it to […]

LeQuan Chapman grew up in a rough neighborhood where "words like 'faggot' and 'gay' were primary in describing all things bad." He discovered sports and became true to himself and is now out and proud.

Jason Collins, Wade Davis, Layshia Clarendon, & Anna Aagenes round out an all-star panel talking about the environment in sports

Chris Voth is a 6-5, 23-year-old volleyball star who trains with Canada's national men's team. This weekend he came out in an article in the Winnipeg Free Press that chronicled his journey. "It was tough," Chris says. "I've kind of been living that life for about five years. It was pretty much sport that kept […]

Jerry Smith was a star tight end for the Washington Redskins from 1965-77, retiring with a then-NFL record of 60 touchdowns. He was also gay, and died of AIDS in 1986. The NFL Network series "A Football Life" delves into Smith's sexual orientation in an hour-long documentary that airs Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 9 p.m. […]

Inspired by British diver Tom Daley saying he was dating a man, champion Brazilian diver Ian Matos has come out publicly as gay in an interview with the newspaper Correio. Must Reads 77 athletes who came out in 2013 Outsports Must Reads 77 athletes who came out in 2013 "From a young age, I knew […]

We will in fact have at least three out LGBT athletes as part of the White House delegation in Sochi

From high school coaches to professional athletes to sportswriters, 2013 saw the most-ever stories on publicly out people in sports.

The university will cut men's gymnastics, but three gay former gymnasts talk about how the program nurtured a brotherhood that embraced everyone and helped them out of the closet. They have helped start an online petition to save it.

The kicker's voice is as strong as his leg, and he shows it off in his cover of Michael Buble's 'Home'

His NFL career ended prematurely due to injuries and his not wanting to hide. Bryant takes a shot at Jason Collins and speculates on when a gay player will come out.

Cahow opens up on life, sports and the LGBT community with GO! Athletes' Avery Stone, a hockey player at Amherst College.

Robbie Rogers, Brittney Griner, Cason Crane and others recognized by Out magazine for their contributions to 2013

After suffering a hamstring injury, Rogers is back in the starting lineup for the Galaxy. He talks with Outsports about his struggles -- and triumphs -- of his transformational year.

Jesse Allard could not reconcile his religious upbringing with being gay. It led to tumult, anxiety and confusion until he finally found his way.

'An Orphan No More' tells the story of a father and an orphan who don't look the same.

The Bucknell University player writes an open letter to people who still see being gay as wrong, a choice or immoral.

A great honor this week to our good friend Charley Sullivan, the associate head coach of men's rowing at the University of Michigan: He was chosen the the Collegiate Coach of the Year in a poll by US Rowing. Sullivan got 36.7% of the vote in beating out four other coaches. Sullivan has been openly […]