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The topic of whether basketball is a gay girl sport has been a subject of discussion and speculation for years, with many ignorant comments from online commenters expressing homophobic, racist, and misogynistic views about WNBA players. While there is no definitive answer to the question, it is worth noting that prominent basketball players such as Sue Bird, Brittney Griner, Sheryl Swoopes, and Candace Parker have publicly come out as gay or lesbian, and the WNBA has been praised for normalizing Black queerness and bringing lesbian lust into the mainstream. Additionally, at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, there were 13 gay women basketball players, and the 2024 Paris Olympics are expected to feature 17 gay women basketball players on the US women's national basketball team.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of gay women basketball players at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics | 13 |
| Number of publicly out LGBTQ athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics | 163 |
| Number of LGBTQ players in the WNBA in 2022 | 30% |
| Number of gay players in the WNBA in 2022 | 37 |
| Number of WNBA players who identify as lesbian in 2022 | 38% |
| Number of WNBA players who identify as lesbian in 2019 | 58 |
| Number of active WNBA players who identify as gay, lesbian, or queer | 41 |
| Number of WNBA players who identify as LGBTQIA+ in 2025 | 48 |
| Number of gay women basketball players at the 2024 Paris Olympics | 17 |
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What You'll Learn
WNBA players who are gay
The WNBA is well-known for its inclusivity, with a significant number of players identifying as LGBTQ+. While the exact percentage varies across sources, it is estimated that around 25% to 38% of WNBA players identify as lesbian or gay. This number has fluctuated over the years, with 38% in 2019, 30% in 2022, and 28% in 2024.
Brittney Griner
Brittney Griner is a legendary figure in the WNBA. She was the first openly gay college player drafted to the WNBA when she was selected by the Phoenix Mercury in 2013. Griner has played nine seasons in the WNBA, all with the Mercury, and has been named an All-Star seven times. She led her team to the championship in 2014. Griner is married to Cherelle, with whom she welcomed a baby boy before the 2024 Olympics.
Sue Bird
Sue Bird is another iconic WNBA player who is openly gay. She is considered one of the most legendary women players in the history of basketball. Bird is engaged to women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe, forming one of the most celebrated LGBTQ power couples in professional sports.
Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes is a three-time league MVP and a six-time All-Star. She originally came out while she was an active player in 2005 but has since married a man. Despite this, she is still recognised as an important figure in the LGBTQ community within sports.
Candace Parker
Candace Parker is a two-time league MVP and has won two championships. She came out in December 2021 and has been a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community. Parker has played for the Los Angeles Sparks and the Chicago Sky and is currently with the Las Vegas Aces. She is married to former Russian basketball player Anna Petrakova.
Natasha Cloud
Natasha Cloud plays for the Phoenix Mercury and previously played for the Washington Mystics. She has been in the league for eight years and was the WNBA Champion in 2019. While some sources identify her as gay, others suggest she may be bisexual.
Layshia Clarendon
Layshia Clarendon is the #25 Guard for the Los Angeles Sparks. They are the league's first openly transgender and non-binary player and use any pronouns. They have been in the league for ten years and have played for several teams, including the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty.
Natisha Hiedeman
Natisha Hiedeman is a talented guard for the Minnesota Lynx. She is married to former Connecticut Sun player Jasmine Thomas.
Jordan Horston
Jordan Horston is a Guard-Forward for the Seattle Storm. This is her second year in the league.
Aerial Powers
Aerial Powers is a Guard for the Atlanta Dream. She previously played for the Dallas Wings, Washington Mystics, and Minnesota Lynx. Powers won the WNBA Championship in 2016 and has eight years of experience in the league.
The WNBA fosters an inclusive environment, and the list of LGBTQ+ players continues to grow, with 37 queer players in the league in 2024 and 44 in 2025.
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Gay women at the Tokyo Olympics
The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics featured 163 publicly out LGBTQ athletes, compared to 23 in 2012 and 56 in 2016. This was the most openly gay Olympics by far, and also the Olympics where the most gay people medaled. There were 13 gay women basketball players at the Tokyo Olympics, including Chelsea Gray and Brittney Griner.
Many countries that participated in the Tokyo Olympics criminalize homosexuality and being transgender, with punishments ranging from the death penalty to prison sentences. For athletes from these countries, attending the Games can be a risk in itself. One such athlete was Tongan swimmer Amini Fonua, who is openly gay and represents a country where homosexuality is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Despite the risks, the Tokyo Olympics were a landmark for LGBTQ representation in sports. New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard made history as the first openly transgender woman to compete in the Games. In addition, at least four members of New Zealand's gold-winning rugby sevens team were openly LGBTQ.
The Olympics are a time to celebrate and spotlight international gay talent. The Tokyo Games featured openly gay athletes across a range of sports, from basketball and rugby to shot put and swimming. These athletes inspire and encourage LGBTQ people around the world, showing that they are not alone and can achieve anything.
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Gay women at the Paris Olympics
The 2024 Paris Olympics saw a record number of LGBTQ athletes compete, with estimates ranging from 144 to 199. Women dominated the list, with a 9 to 1 ratio of female to male LGBTQ athletes. Team USA had the most out Olympians, with 34 athletes, although only one was a man. Brazil was second with 30 athletes, followed by Australia with 23, Spain with 14, Germany with 13, Great Britain with 12, Canada with 11, the Netherlands with 10, France with 9, and New Zealand with 7.
Women's soccer, across all participating countries, was the queerest sport at the Olympics, with at least 46 out players. Spain's team had six out athletes, Brazil's team had eight, and Australia's roster had 12.
There were over 150 gay, lesbian, and bisexual women and trans Olympians competing in Paris. Notable LGBTQ athletes included British diver Tom Daley, Canadian soccer player Quinn, USA track athletes Sha'Carri Richardson and Nikki Hiltz, and members of the USA women's basketball team Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi, who both won gold.
While the number of out LGBTQ athletes at the Paris Olympics was a record, some have speculated that the ban on trans women participating in the women's category for certain sports may have impacted the number of LGBTQ athletes at the Olympics. However, it is important to note that the elimination of softball as an Olympic sport, which had eight LGBTQ women at the Tokyo Games, also likely contributed to the change in numbers.
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WNBA's history of activism
The WNBA has a long history of activism, with players banding together to lead displays of collective activism addressing racism, policing, gender equality, and more. The league is predominantly made up of Black women and has a visible queer demographic.
One of the earliest examples of the WNBA's activism was in 1997 when Sheryl Swoopes, a founding member of the league, discovered she was pregnant just before the WNBA's commencement season. Swoopes returned to the court just six weeks after giving birth, setting an example for female athletes everywhere. In 2005, Swoopes came out as a lesbian, becoming one of the highest-profile athletes to do so.
In 2016, players from the Minnesota Lynx team wore Black Lives Matter shirts to a game, with the names of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two Black men killed by police that week. This act of protest sparked criticism and threats of fines, but the players of the WNBA stood united, with players across the league wearing warm-up shirts in support of the movement. This united front set a new standard for what sports figures can do to support political movements.
The WNBA has also been at the forefront of activism for LGBTQ+ rights, with players like Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx advocating for marriage equality and LGBTQ+ rights. The league has also shown its support for the LGBT community, with players taking active roles in expressing their views on social issues.
In 2020, the WNBA dedicated their season to social justice activism, using their platform to centre women of colour and raise awareness about the issues they face. This commitment to activism, coupled with the quality of the league, has positioned the WNBA and its players in a unique way, gaining them increased visibility and fan support.
The WNBA Social Justice Council, formed in 2020, is an activist committee jointly run by the WNBA and the players' union, addressing systemic racism, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, and other issues affecting women in the United States. The league has consistently been a force for activism, with players using their platforms to break social barriers and address issues of marginalization and inequality.
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Intersection of race, sexuality and identity politics in basketball
The topic of the percentage of LGBTQ+ athletes in the WNBA has been a subject of much speculation and controversy. While some sources claim that the percentage of LGBTQ+ players in the WNBA is between 30% and 58%, others argue that there is no reliable data to support these claims. This lack of accurate information has led to misinformation, wild speculation, and stereotypes that negatively impact the league.
The discussion surrounding the WNBA and LGBTQ+ representation brings to light the complex intersection of race, sexuality, and identity politics in basketball. For example, Clay Travis, in his comments about Caitlin Clark, highlighted how her identity as a straight white woman may have contributed to resentment towards her in the league. In contrast, the normalizing of Black queerness in the WNBA has been celebrated as a breath of fresh air by queer fans.
The visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes in basketball, especially in the WNBA, has had a significant impact. The coming out of prominent players such as Sue Bird, Brittney Griner, and Sheryl Swoopes has encouraged other players to share their stories. This has led to a more inclusive and diverse league, challenging stereotypes and normalizing LGBTQ+ identities in sports.
Additionally, the intersection of race and sexuality in basketball extends beyond the WNBA. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics women's basketball team featured 13 gay players, contributing to a record-breaking number of publicly out LGBTQ+ athletes at the games. The United States' women's national basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics is also notable for having more gay players than any other U.S. sports team.
While there has been progress in terms of LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion in basketball, there is still work to be done. The persistence of homophobic, racist, and misogynistic jokes about WNBA players online demonstrates the need for continued efforts to create a more respectful and inclusive environment for athletes of all identities.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it is based on speculation and assumptions due to a lack of reliable data. However, various sources estimate that between 25% and 58% of WNBA players identify as LGBTQIA+, with one source placing the number at 38%.
Yes, there are several famous gay women basketball players, including Brittney Griner, Sue Bird, Sheryl Swoopes, Candace Parker, and Chelsea Gray.
While there is no official designation, the WNBA is known for its strong LGBTQIA+ community and has been hailed for bringing lesbian representation to the mainstream.
