These 10 LGBTQ Christian athletes have come out in sports
Many Christians in sports have come out publicly as LGBTQ athletes and coaches. Here are almost a dozen of them. The post These 10 LGBTQ Christian athletes have come out in sports appeared first on Outsports.
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There have been many Christians who have come out publicly in American sports. They’ve been in high school, college and pro sports. Men’s sports and women’s sports.
While some people think it’s hard to be a Christian and be gay or trans, many LGBTQ people find comfort and community in both of their identities.
In the sports world, that can be particularly true. Christianity has a long-standing place in American sports. Team Bible study is a reality on many sports teams, including teams across the NFL, NBA and other major sports leagues.
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Bible study and bonding as Christians can bring together teammates, and that includes LGBTQ athletes.
“Most NFL teams are fairly religious in terms of player makeup,” Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe told Outsports several years ago. “That’s something that can be a way for other guys to identify with him at Bible study or team prayer. They can look at him and see he’s like anyone else.”
While some Christians continue to criticize the LGBTQ community on the basis of their own religious beliefs, there are many gay, lesbian, bi and trans Christians.
Here are some of the Christians who have come out publicly in sports.
Layshia Clarendon
Layshia Clarendon, the longtime and just-retired WNBA star has never shied away from her faith. “I identify as black, gay, female, non-cisgender and Christian. I am an outsider even on the inside of every community to which I belong,” Clarendon said.
Andrew Ford
Soccer player Andrew Ford embraced his sexuality and his Christian faith and wants to be a model for other LGBTQ athletes. “I may be an out LGBTQ athlete, but first I’m a child of God and I’m so loved by him,” Ford said.
Ross Furbush
With the help of his mentor, gay soccer player Ross Furbush became the first out teacher at a Christian Scientist school. “My journey as a gay man mirrors the changes that have occurred within Christian Science when it comes to queer people,” Furbush said.
Alan Gendreau
When Alan Gendreau was the kicker for the Middle Tennessee State football team, he was out to teammates. Even the guys who didn’t “know” essentially knew. When Outsports ran its feature on Gendreau coming out publicly, in 2013, he still slept with a Bible next to his bed. “I used to flip to the back to see if the Bible defined homosexuality,” he said at the time.
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Trevor Kosch
As a college golfer, Trevor Kosch was out and proud and this made him embrace religion even more.
“I am a gay Christian man and I can say that way more people in the LGBTQ+ community are religious and spiritual than one might think. As I am finishing up my senior year, I am working on myself and trying to find out the ways in which I can be happy, healthy and follow God’s path for me.”
Justin Mathis
When Justin Mathis came out publicly, he was working in Olympic sports at Stanford University. He’s a gay Christian who grew up in Oklahoma. He previously worked at the University of Kentucky as a graduate assistant.a
Mikah Meyer
Gay adventurer Mikah Meyer has visited all 417 national parks and monuments, in addition to climbing several mountains to plant Pride flags. He supported his ventures in part by speaking at churches in areas where national parks are.
“My former boss, the choir director at the National Cathedral, suggested I “sing for my supper” at churches along the route and put my Masters in Voice to use,” Meyer said. “Those churches have kept me on the road. They’ve allowed me to share a positive image of a gay Christian that has resulted in people around the world writing to share how they feel more comfortable being themselves after seeing this story.”
Josh Sanders
As a young gay athlete, Josh Sanders survived six months of conversion therapy and began to forge a new dialogue with both Christian and LGBT organizations to open hearts and minds.
“I always had some type of affection for a higher power,” Sanders said. “And I heard about this guy Jesus, and there was something attractive about what he said. It felt real to me, and I decided that I would try to live my life by Christian values.”
Unique Smith
As a college volleyball player, Unique Smith said, “I refused to be unwavering in my faith and was determined to love God and nurture my Christianity.” She said she would do that regardless of her orientation.
Esera Tuaolo
One of the highest-profile Christians to come out publicly in sports is former NFL defensive end Esera Tuaolo. “Mr. Aloha,” who played for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings among other NFL teams, has spoken publicly for over two decades about being Pentacostal and embracing both his Christianity and himself as a gay man.
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The post These 10 LGBTQ Christian athletes have come out in sports appeared first on Outsports.
