Kickin’
ori Lindsey — Out Front and Fearless not for the athletes so much as I do not think they will be the ones most affected, but for the citizens and LBGTQ people there now and the ones there after the games. Lindsey: It’s sad because when we think of the Olympics, we think of all nations coming together, competing and sharing their love of sport despite race, gender, ethnicity. This takes away from all of that. …I would like the IOC to step in and take more action. Both of you competed in the Olympics. How would it be, do you suppose, to be heading to Russia to compete as openly LGBT athletes? Lindsey: It’s important for me to be honest about who I am. I would feel I have the responsibility to be as open as I always am, if not to speak out even more and yet be empathetic to the citizens who are not competing and who are living through this on a daily basis.
world. …I am OUT so, yes, the issue of being LBGTQ did come up in interviews and within the team, which was so positive, I think. Especially doing interviews and being able to speak openly about it within sports — which is still very taboo in France, I think. Has being an openly LGBT athlete been an issue of any kind? On or off the field? Rapinoe: It has been really wonderful to be out in the public eye. It has allowed me the platform to talk about LGBTQ issues and equality. It has allowed me to have so many amazing experiences meeting people and being inspired by so many stories. Lindsey: The only surprise, I would say, has been the overwhelming amount of support I’ve received from fans.
<< Megan Rapinoe
Rapinoe: I would be exactly who I am. I would have my family and my girlfriend and not behave in fear of these laws. I would be worried for the Russian citizens who will not be competing in the Sochi games, which have a shield of the world’s media on their side. Megan, you play for a French team when you’re not with the National Women’s Soccer League here. How is it to play for the Lyon team? Has being openly LGBT come up in any way? Rapinoe: To be able to train with the quality of players at Lyon every day was such a challenge and a growing experience. It’s one of the best club teams in Europe and in the
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FALL 2013
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