These 10 genderqueer athletes all proudly share their pronouns in their bios
International Pronouns Day on Oct. 15 raises awareness about respect and the words we use when referring to ourselves and each other. The post These 10 genderqueer athletes all proudly share their pronouns in their bios appeared first on Outsports.
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One of the pinned posts on Nikki Hiltz’s TikTok account is a clip taken from TV coverage of the Monaco Diamond League in July 2023.
“Commentators effortlessly get my pronouns correct after I set the American record in the mile,” Hiltz wrote alongside the video, adding in the caption: “Thank you, NBC Sports.”
The following year, Hiltz expressed gratitude to the broadcaster again after the Paris Olympics. “Thank you NBC for normalizing they/them/theirs pronouns and showing the world how simple it can be to respect and validate nonbinary people,” they wrote.
Hiltz is among a group of genderqueer athletes who publicly share their personal pronouns in the profiles of their social media accounts.
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International Pronouns Day is an awareness day dedicated to learning about how we all use these placeholder words when talking to and about each other. It’s been marked annually on Oct. 15 since 2018.
Four years earlier, Katie Barnes wrote for Outsports about the importance of pronouns. “I use the pronouns I do because “she” and “her” carry connotations, assumptions, and expectations that do not match my reality… they just don’t describe who I am or how I enter into spaces,” they wrote.
@nikki_hiltz Thank you @NBC Olympics & Paralympics for normalizing using they/them/theirs pronouns and showing the world how simple it can be to respect and validate nonbinary people #trackandfield #run #theythem #nonbinary ♬ Inspirational – neozilla
Here are 9 more athletes blazing trails in their respective sports and providing LGBTQ representation, in part through publicly sharing their personal pronouns on social media, which we’ve included next to their names and sports, as recorded in their bios.
Timothy LeDuc, figure skating — they/them
At Beijing 2022, LeDuc became the first out nonbinary athlete to compete in a Winter Olympics. They twice won the pairs title at U.S. nationals, skating with Ashley Cain. Now retired from competition, they are coaching in Chicago.
Quinn, soccer — they/them
Through being part of the Canada team that won gold medals in Tokyo four years ago, Quinn made Olympic history. Playing at the 2023 FIFA World Cup made them the first out trans nonbinary footballer to appear in that tournament too. They’re now back in their homeland with Vancouver Rise FC.
Layshia Clarendon, basketball — he/they/she
Now retired from the WNBA after playing 11 seasons, Clarendon came out as nonbinary during the league’s enforced shutdown in 2020. After starting a family with their partner Jessica, they explained why they are also using gender-neutral pronouns with their child.
Kirsty Gilmour, badminton — she/her/they/them
The three-time Olympian from Scotland is ranked in the world’s top 30, and speaking about their gender identity during Pride Month earlier this year, Gilmour said: “I’ve always sat somewhere between, OK, my biology is absolutely female, but my actual physical capabilities sometimes were closer to where the boys were. I’ve always lived in that in-between world of being a bit of both.”
SonicFox, esports — he/they
Named this week among the “Rising 50” on Outsports’ annual Power 100 list of influential LGBTQ people in sports, SonicFox is a bona fide legend in EVO fight-game tournaments. The Mortal Kombat ace is most active on X, where they’ve filled out the location field as “(He/They) Seattle.”
Again only close friends I’m ok with using He/him pronouns! But even then I generally prefer they/them! NB/demiguy vibes yerr— SonicFox (@SonicFox) May 31, 2021
Asia Hogan-Rochester, rugby union — they/she
After claiming an Olympic silver medal with Canada in sevens at Paris 2024, Hogan-Rochester starred as the Maple Leafs charged their way to the World Cup final last month. Although hosts England won the tournament, it’s thought that Hogan-Rochester made history as the first athlete to appear in a major international final who is publicly out as genderfluid.
Carly Jackson, hockey — she/her/they/them
A huge fan favorite in the PWHL, goaltender Jackson has switched to expansion team Seattle for the new season which starts next month. Their iconic blue jumpsuit for the Pride Unity Game earlier this year included a quote from the movie Shrek The Third that carries great personal meaning: “After a while, you learn to ignore the names that people call you and just trust who you are.”
Che Flores, basketball — they/them
The NBA referee from Los Angeles came out publicly in 2023 as the first out nonbinary transgender official in a major North American professional sports league. Speaking to GQ, they said how it felt to have their personal pronouns used on the court and by announcers: “It allowed me to be, I guess, free in a way. I was like, ‘All right, cool. I’m here.’”
Kumi Yokoyama, soccer — he/them/they
After winning more than 40 international caps for Japan, Yokoyama came out publicly as a trans man in June 2021 while with Washington Spirit FC in the NWSL. Now playing back in his homeland with Shizuoka SSU Bonita, it’s clear from Instagram that the 32-year-old is a very popular member of the team.
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The post These 10 genderqueer athletes all proudly share their pronouns in their bios appeared first on Outsports.
