BY LYNDSEY D’ARCANGELO
Curve
With the NFL draft approaching fast, Michael Sam will continue to remain in the national spotlight. And why not? He could be the first openly gay professional football player in the history of the league. But it’s important to note that while Sam’s admission is groundbreaking on many levels, female athletes have long since knocked down the sexuality barrier in professional sports.
Here are five notable out lesbian athletes worth mentioning — not only for their athletic prowess but also for their willingness and courage to be themselves:
Brittney Griner – Basketball
Brittney Griner graduated from Baylor University last spring and left the closet behind, along with her former Lady Bear teammates. Griner was chosen number one overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA draft and began her professional basketball career as an out lesbian. She is very passionate about bullying, as she was bullied herself as a child. With an endorsement deal with Nike and her own line of bowties, Griner is poised to have a long and storied career on and off the basketball court.
See the other out lesbian athletes at Curve
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