Released yesterday, the video, "Proud To Play: Celebrating Equality for All Athletes," has gone viral.
A lot has changed for LGBT athletes in the United States since February, 2013, when Major League Soccer player Robbie Rogers retired from the sport, came out, then signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy to become the first openly gay man to play in a top North American professional sports league.
In the May 6, 2013 issue of
Sports Illustrated, professional basketball player Jason Collins came out.
In January, 2014, Conner Mertens became the first active football player to come out as bisexual.
And after finishing his football career at the University of Missouri, Michael Sam came out. On May 12, 2014, he was drafted into the National Football League by the St. Louis Rams. If Michael plays in the league, he will be the first openly gay football player in the NFL.
The more LGBT athletes come out, the more visible they are to each other and to the world. Stereotypes are shattered: anyone can play who has the skills.
The video includes a clip of former South African President Nelson
Mandela saying: "Sport can create hope where once there was only
despair."
June is LGBT Pride Month. The World Cup is nine days away.
