U.S. women’s soccer star honored by L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center
Before leaving for the London Olympic Games this past summer, United States women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe made a decision that she said was freeing. Rapinoe decided to come out as being gay.
On Nov. 10, the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center honored Rapinoe for her decision to come out as a high-profile athlete, and for being one of the few out athletes during the 2012 Olympic Games, when they honored her with the Center’s Board of Directors Award.
“I think this year has been exciting for me to say the least on all different fronts,” Rapinoe said during her acceptance speech. “It was my very first Olympics, obviously my very first gold medal — hopefully not my last but that is something that doesn’t come often so I’m happy with the one I have.”
While Rapinoe also thanked her family, friends, teammates and girlfriend for their support during her speech, she also spoke about how she felt being out allowed her to be her best on the field.
“Before the games, I made the choice to come out and say that I was gay, and I can’t exactly put my finger on it, but I think it was the best decision I ever made to be able to go into such an important event like that being a wide-open book and saying this is who I am, I’m damn proud of it, and hopefully you are too.
“I think the response that I’ve gotten since then has said just that. I just felt very free heading over to London and I think I play my best and am my best me when I’m doing that.”
