Note about LGBT athletes in sports
Sometimes, sexual diversity becomes a controversial subject among people in the world of sports. However, several athletes have managed to break down those barriers by openly declaring themselves as gay and by sharing glimpses of their love life with spectators.
Here is a list of LGBT athletes in sports, in honor of Gay Pride Day.
The former Rams player set a precedent in American football by becoming the first openly gay player in the NFL. However, the most memorable moment was when he kissed his boyfriend Vito Cammisano after learning that he had been selected for the National Conference team.
Michel Sam proposed to his partner in January 2015 at the Vatican, in the Basilica of San Pedro.
Marriage proposals at Rio 2016
One of the most romantic moments occurred at the previous Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian rugby player Isadora Cerullo received a marriage proposal from her partner Marjorie Enya, who had volunteered at the event. This happened just before the award ceremony for their sport.
But this was not the only engagement. British athlete Tom Bosworth kneeled on a beach in Brazil to ask his boyfriend Harry Dineley to marry him. He received a "yes" as the answer.
He said YES!!! pic.twitter.com/roXsw7oq8f
— Tom Bosworth (@TomBosworth) August 15, 2016
Caster Semenya's wedding to Violet Raseboya
South African athlete Caster Semenya, who won the gold medal in the 800 meters in Rio, got married to her longtime girlfriend Violet Raseboya in January. The wedding was announced through the athlete's social media, where pictures were posted showing Raseboya in a white dress and Semenya wearing a blue suit with gold accents.
In 2009, Semenya was involved in controversy when she underwent several gender identification tests due to her high testosterone levels, which were three times higher than those of an average woman. Despite this, she was allowed to compete without any restrictions.
Anastasia Bucsis and Charline Labonte, the Canadian couple
Figure skater and hockey player for the Canadian national team, Anastasia Bucsis and Charline Labonte have been in a relationship for several years. They met through Caroline Outlette at an event organized by the Right to Play organization.
SOS! We need @gsimmerling! I can only turn left & @Labonte32 is the fastest goalie in the world #shredding#springskipic.twitter.com/hfNxth3BAm
— Anastasia Bucsis (@anastasure) April 29, 2014
Both athletes participated in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, a place where "coming out" can be difficult due to the country's strict policies regarding sexual diversity.
Martina Navratilova and her wife, Miss USSR 1990
Czechoslovakian-born former tennis player Martina Navratilova married Russian Julia Lemigova in December 2014. Julia was the last Miss USSR. After six years of being together, Navratilova proposed to her girlfriend during the US Open. She knelt in front of her and said, "We've been together for six years, and I can't imagine my life without you. Please marry me."
Currently, the ex-tennis player and the model live in Florida with Navratilova's daughters from a previous relationship.
Oh what a night at the #DNCinPHL Making history! pic.twitter.com/iUD1njYf70
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 28, 2016
Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss
In 1981, Billie Jean King became the first famous athlete to publicly reveal her sexual orientation after it was revealed that she had a relationship with her then-secretary. Today, she lives in New York with her partner of several years, former South African tennis player Ilana Kloss.