22 LGBTQ+ Athletes Who Are Speaking Out and Leading the Way — in Sports and Beyond

Soccer player Robbie Rogers played for the US Men's National Team and professionally for Leeds United and the LA Galaxy. He came out as gay in a 2013 blog post and, after some time away from the sport, returned to become the first openly gay player in MLS.

"I realized just by playing and being on a soccer field, that's a symbol right there, and that can encourage and give people hope," he told Today in 2014. "I think when young kids can see Jason Collins and myself and Michael Sam, and Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe, and different athletes come out, it will definitely change and encourage younger gay men and women to play a sport."